Getting Started with New Health Goals in 2022

It’s that time of the year again where we set pen to paper and map out our goals for the new year. Of course, the traditional lifestyle goals of eating better, exercising more and sleeping more still matter but given all that has happened in 2021, perhaps it is time to consider goals gleaned from our experience with living with COVID-19.

These could include:

• Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster

Given the evolving situation, ensuring that you have had the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters is a way to commit to caring for you, your family and friends. By doing so, you are reducing the risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, minimising the risk of transmission, and protecting existing healthcare systems from being overwhelmed.

However, being vaccinated does not mean that you can be carefree and put yourselves and others at risk, particularly because research is still ongoing into how much vaccines protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission.

• Play an Active Part in Staying Safe

The current vaccines are helping but for the foreseeable future, it is good to actively stay safe by continuing to wear masks, cleaning our hands, ensuring good ventilation indoors, physically distancing and avoiding crowds.

• Donate Blood

Blood is needed to save lives in times of emergencies and to sustain the lives of those with medical conditions, as well as patients who are undergoing major surgeries.

For many patients, blood donors are their lifeline. One unit of blood can save three lives!

According to Singapore’s Red Cross, every day at every hour,15 units of blood are used in Singapore. Our daily healthcare needs are approximately about 120,000 units of blood to meet the transfusion needs of patients every year, equivalent to more than 400 units of blood a day.

With an ageing population, more advanced life-saving medical procedures, and new hospitals being established, more blood will be needed every year.

• Take Care of Your Mental Health

With the pandemic taking a toll on people’s mental health, it can be difficult coping with the stress as a result of lockdowns, being impacted by COVID-19 infection or loss of loved ones, being unable to see family and friends or even the anxiety from reading news reports. In addition, there could also be difficulties in accessing mental health services during lockdowns.

Try some activities to take your mind off things. Possible activities include talking to someone you trust, looking after your physical health, doing activities that you enjoy, taking time to appreciate the world around you and if all else fails, seeking professional help.

• Know your Options for Healthcare

Do you know what are your options for primary care should you need to use them? By identifying what they earlier, you will not have to scramble for them at the very last minute which could impact the type of care received.

• Set New Fitness Goals

In the new year, set a new fitness or exercise goal like participating in a 5KM run or even better, aim to run a marathon.

These goals may seem simple but they could benefit you immensely in the new year.