Heart Health Goal Setting for 2021
For many people, 2020 has been a challenging year. It makes us hope next year will be better. But we can do more than hope it will be better: we can set goals and take action to make it better. At South Denver Cardiology Associates, we are committed to your overall wellness, and we offer many lifestyle programs to help you improve your heart health. This includes a dedicated health and nutrition team that can help. You can get started by following these tips.
Start with a Checkup
Before you set goals, it’s a good idea to get a baseline of where your heart health currently stands. No matter your age, an annual checkup is a good idea. Unfortunately, many people are overdue for a checkup and may not have a good idea about the current state of their heart health. During a checkup, your doctor can also give you customized recommendations for improving your heart health.
South Denver Cardiology Associates wants to help you get the assistance you need to achieve and maintain good heart health, including our new Video House Calls, which help you talk to a doctor from the comfort of your own home.
Follow the Science
There are many people out there offering advice about how to live a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, many of them are not based on science and can, in some cases, be more harmful than helpful.
Carefully evaluate any health program before you add it to your plan for heart health in 2021. Make sure its claims are based on sound science and are likely to lead to good health. If you’re not sure or can’t find good research, you can contact us and ask whether a particular program is a good idea or not.
Make Sure the Goals Are Right for You
When it comes to heart health, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. When you are making your goals for 2021, you need to make sure that they address your problems and improve your heart health.
This means that your heart health goals should be customized to your needs and your abilities. For example, if you have diabetes, then controlling your blood sugar should be part of your plan, but it isn’t as important for most everyone else. Also, make goals that are personally meaningful to you. This will help you stay dedicated to achieving them.
Use the SMART System to Design Goals
One of the best strategies for making achievable goals is using the SMART system for setting goals. This simple acronym reminds you to set goals that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-oriented
Specific goals are easier to achieve than general ones. If your goal is to “exercise more,” you’re less likely to achieve it than if you make a goal for 20 minutes of exercise four days a week. Measurable goals are helpful because they give you an objective standard that encourages you to meet your goal. If your goal isn’t measurable, it’s easy to rationalize that you’re meeting your goal, even when you’re not. Attainable goals are designed to start with your current situation and gradually increase to help you achieve your ultimate goal.
Realistic goals acknowledge your limitations and abilities. They are designed to be challenging but can be achieved given your physical capabilities and limitations of time, money, geography, and more.
Time-oriented goals give you a deadline for achieving them. This helps ward off procrastination and helps you keep committed to your goals.
We Can Help You Make 2021 The Healthiest Year for Your Heart
If you are looking to improve your heart health in the coming year, let South Denver Cardiology Associates help. Whether you’re looking for a checkup to set your baseline or trying to find wellness programs to support your goals, we’re here for you.
Please call 303-744-1065 or contact us online today for an appointment.
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