The start of each year is a great opportunity to make goals for what you’d like to achieve over the next 365 days. Maybe you want to save money, travel or get more sleep. But the most popular resolution year after year is to lose weight and/or exercise more. If you have a hard time sticking with generic weight loss resolutions though, you’re not alone. Concerned about your urological health or have recurring urological issues? A health-focused resolution can help you make strides towards feeling better. And that’s something worth sticking with.
Some of our favorites?
Drink more water.
We sound like a broken record with this one, but staying hydrated with water is one of the best things you can do for your urological health. That’s especially true if you have a history of bladder stones, kidney stones, or urinary tract infections. Upping your water intake helps hydrate you, and helps you flush minerals out of your kidneys and bladder to prevent stones from forming. Similarly, it helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract to help prevent bacterial infections.
Carrying a reusable water bottle with you can be a great starting point. Sometimes just having water on hand will help you drink more. But if you’re not feeling it, make smaller goals for yourself throughout the day. You could aim to refill your reusable bottle twice before lunch, or even set alarms on your phone to remind you to down a few gulps. If plain water doesn’t strike your fancy, try adding healthful additions like citrus wedges or even cucumber slices – it can help alter the taste just enough to keep things interesting. We wrote a whole blog post about tips for staying hydrated, give it a read for more guidance.
Be more active.
You don’t have to train for a marathon or work out twice a day to take meaningful steps towards improving your health. And taking care of your health in general, can be helpful for your urological health. Spending less time sitting and more time moving can make a big difference for a lot of people. If you have an office job, it’s pretty common to be sedentary most of the day. If it’s an option, consider using a standing desk to avoid sitting from 9 to 5. In addition, simple swaps like choosing the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to a lunch spot down the street can add up.
If you have a walkable neighborhood, try to get in the habit of starting or ending your day with a walk around the block. If daylight isn’t on your side, that’s okay. A treadmill works great too, and has the added bonus of allowing you to watch your favorite show while you stroll.
Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of or even improve erectile dysfunction. In addition, improving muscle strength throughout the core can take pressure off the bladder muscles which can reduce urinary leakage. Ask your doctor if being more active could make an impact on your urological health.
Eat healthier food.
You know some of the urological benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and eating healthfully is a big part of the picture. For most of us, a healthy diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits, lean protein, whole grains, bread, nuts, and eggs. One of the best ways to moderate what you eat is to cook at home. You get to see what goes into each meal and you can control the quality of the ingredients.
Keep in mind that the same foods don’t always work for everyone. If you have an existing urological health concern, some traditionally “healthy” foods might not work for your particular situation. Citrus is a great example of that. For most folks, oranges would be a healthy snack, but people with certain bladder conditions find that it can be irritating to their system.
The final word.
Choosing one of the above resolutions can make a noticeable impact on your urological health. Even better? Trying to do all three! Of course though, as with any new lifestyle change, it’s always a good idea to run significant changes by your doctor. If you’re under the care of a physician for a health condition or taking prescriptions, double check to make sure your new resolutions won’t interfere with your current treatment plan.
