We often use the new year as an opportunity to make positive changes in our lives, such as changing habits, taking up a new exercise regime or hobby, or working towards achieving new goals. While we all start out with the best of intentions, by mid-January some resolutions have fallen by the wayside and we’re back to our usual ways.

We think there are three main reasons why people find it hard to keep new year’s resolutions. Firstly, there’s a lack of a defined goal, or the goal is so audacious it’s too overwhelming to achieve. Such as reading 10 novels a month or losing a large (and unspecified) amount of weight.

Secondly, there’s a lack of a plan. Such as planning to run a marathon, but no plan on how you’re going to get there, what training is required, when you’ll train and so on.

Finally, (and where we can help), there’s a lack of support. A lot of health-related goals such as changing your diet, quitting smoking or losing weight are all really great goals to have, but are also really hard to achieve without adequate support.

Luckily, we are able to offer you the support you need for three of the top goals that people set as new year’s resolutions – quitting smoking, losing weight and achieving good health.

Quitting smoking

There’s no doubt that there are less smokers in Australia than there used to be, in part thanks to government initiatives around tobacco advertising, health warnings, blank packaging and taxes, which have greatly increased the price of cigarettes over the years.

But still 13.8% of the Australian adult population smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, and on average, these daily smokers consume 12.3 cigarettes per day. Even with the fall in the number of smokers over the years, tobacco smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. Smoking can lead to a range of cancers, heart disease, stroke, chest and lung illnesses and stomach ulcers. According to the Cancer Council, smoking-related deaths number around 24,000 Australians per year.

SwiftDoc’s services to help quit smoking

SwiftDoc offers a dedicated service called “Smokefree”, using first-line treatments and prescribed nicotine vaping to help you in your journey to quit smoking. Simply book an appointment online (select “Smokefree” from our list of services) and you’ll be able to speak to us via video link. We know that quitting smoking is hard, and that support is key, so take that first step of booking the appointment and we’ll be available to help you reach your smoke-free goals.

Losing weight

There are many reasons why losing weight is often top of the list of new year’s resolutions, and from a health perspective, being at a healthy weight may help you to avoid or delay cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, cataracts, infertility and sleep apnoea (to name but a few).

Of course, there are cosmetic reasons too, and these can’t be discounted as valid reasons, especially when feeling good about how you look helps with self-esteem, confidence, body-positivity and mental health.

Studies by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that being overweight or obese is a problem faced by a large number of Australians. In fact, two in three adult Australians are classed as overweight or obese (that’s around 12.5 million of us!). Being overweight or obese is also an issue for Australian children, with one in four falling into either of these categories.

SwiftDoc’s services to help you lose weight

SwiftDoc has a dedicated dietitian, available to consult with you via video link to help you work towards and achieve your weight loss goals. As our services are 100% online, you’ll be able to have your consultation whenever (and wherever) it suits you, making it easy to stay on track, make, and keep appointments. Seeing a dietitian means you’ll have an in-depth and comprehensive medical approach to your weight loss goals, taking into account any medical conditions and food intolerances.

Leading a healthy lifestyle

Often new year’s resolutions involve improving your health overall, such as addressing a chronic health issue, managing your health better or working on a specific issue such as gut health or sleep. Any of the SwiftDoc GPs can help you address health concerns of course, but this is also where a naturopath can add some value. Some studies estimate that 50% of Australians suffer from poor gut health for example (such as bloating, gas or constipation) and most Australians have experienced problems with their sleep, ranging from insomnia to snoring to sleep apnoea. These are just two areas where a naturopath could help, leading to better health outcomes.

SwiftDoc’s services to help you lead a healthy lifestyle

SwiftDoc has an experienced naturopath ready and waiting to help you via video link. Not just with gut health or sleep issues either, but with a whole range of health issues that might be holding you back from achieving good health, such as allergies, skin diseases or female health complaints. Speak to our naturopath about your health goals when you have your appointment to learn more about how naturopathy can help you.

New year’s resolutions don’t need to fall by the wayside each year. All it takes is crafting a specific goal, working out how you’re going to achieve it, and then engaging the support you need to help you along the way. In terms of health goals, the SwiftDoc team is here, ready to help you work towards and achieve your resolutions.

Sources:

Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Overweight and Obesity, Accessed December 2021.

Australian Government, Department of Health, Smoking and Tobacco, Accessed December 2021.

Cancer Council, Smoking and Tobacco Control, Accessed December 2021.

CSIRO, Gut Health and Weight Loss, Accessed December 2021.

Harvard T.H. Chan, School of Public Health, Healthy Weight, Accessed December 2021.

HealthDirect, Sleep disorders, Accessed December 2021.