Helpful Tips to Make 2017 Your Healthiest, Happiest Year Yet

January 1, 2017

Kendall B. & Anna K.

As we say goodbye to 2016, many of us are setting resolutions for the New Year. But it can often be discouraging to set goals, only to realize a few months into the year that you have failed to accomplish many of them.

If you are like the rest of us, your main goals are probably focused on getting healthier. We have put together some tips and tricks to start your New Year off healthy and strong, and to keep it going well into the year:

1. Write down your goals
2. Start small
3. Let technology help!
4. Reward yourself
5. Get more sleep
6. Replace regular household items

Tip #1: Write down your goals

It may seem silly, but writing down your resolutions and posting them somewhere that you see often is a daily reminder to not lose sight of your goals. And don’t just write them down, tell yourself WHY you want to accomplish these things. What aspect of your life will it change? How will this resolution make you or someone else better in the coming year?

Strive to be the best version of yourself this New Year.

Tip #2: Start small

If sticking to your resolutions is difficult, start small! An easy goal for becoming healthier overall is to take better care of your teeth. A simple goal like this is easy to stick to, and it can help you tackle more difficult goals, like getting to the gym. Here are some other small goals:

• Add a vegetable to every meal
• Drink more water
• Wake up 30 minutes earlier and go for a short walk
• Do 10 pushups before bed

Waterpik^TM Cordless Advanced water flosser

Tip #3: Let technology help!

What better way to achieve a goal than a new device? With the WATERPIK water flosser, you can easily improve your overall health by setting aside one minute a day to take care of your teeth. Whether you’re a college student looking for an easy cordless solution, or a patient with braces that needs the Complete Care water flosser with separate electric toothbrush, there is something for everyone. Take a look at our Buying Guide to find the perfect oral care solution for you.

Fitness trackers and smartphone apps can also pave the way to better health. They help you watch your progress daily, motivate you to stay on track with your health goals, and best of all - they’re fun to use!.

Tip #4: Reward yourself

Even the smallest victories deserve some sort of reward. It’s important to recognize when you are making progress. Reward yourself with a sweet treat to avoid a major binge down the road. However, sweets can damage your teeth, so it’s important not to indulge too often. You can also reward yourself with a new gift, like athletic apparel or shoes to keep you motivated and stylish - two birds, one stone.

Tip # 5: Get more sleep

Sleep helps you reset and reenergize to complete your daily goals. It’s important for adults to get between 7 and 9 hours every night. To help you accomplish this, avoid electronics before bed so you can relax and fall asleep with minimal distractions. If you decide to use electronics close to bed time, look for a night mode in your device settings.

Source: helpguide.org

Tip #6: Replace regular household items

Things like pillowcases, makeup brushes, athletic shoes, and toothbrushes need to be replaced more regularly than many of us think. Whether it’s to avoid excess bacteria or just wear and tear that can negatively affect performance, the New Year is a perfect time to replace some of these household items.

As advocates for better oral health, we want to emphasize that it’s very important to regularly replace brush heads and water flosser tips. We recommend replacing tips and brush heads every 3-6 months. To make replacement a breeze, visit our Oral Health Accessory & Flossing Tip Selector to find and shop for compatible items for your model.

We hope these tips help to start your New Year off right and make it your best year yet!