To many people, the New Year symbolizes a chance to start over and make new commitments to their health and wellness. It is a time of resolutions and strict dietary plans, when new memberships to fitness facilities are at an annual peak, and vows are renewed to abstain from eating fattening, processed and sugary foods. Regardless of all these intentions, many of these strict guidelines people create for themselves can be a challenge to follow on a long term basis. Here are 4 manageable tips to keep you in good health all year:

Drink Water

Since the average adults loses 10 cups of water every day through urine, breathing, sweating, and bowel movements, drinking water every day – especially first thing in the morning – helps prevent dehydration. Water is essential for good health, so replace what you are losing by drinking purified water throughout the day. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your daily cup of water can add benefits by helping to cleanse your system.

Reduce Refined Sugar

Besides causing your metabolism and insulin levels to fluctuate wildly, sugar depresses your immune system and promotes inflammation in the body. In addition, reducing sugar intake from foods and drinks such as white bread, sweets and soft drinks may actually increase your energy.

Get More Sleep

Try to get 8 hours of sleep every night. If you have trouble falling asleep, consider traditional herbs such as passionflower, hops and valerian. You may also want to consider supplementing with 5HTP, a precursor to serotonin production, which will improve your sleep patterns. Chronic sleep deprivation is detrimental to your health and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, among other degenerative conditions.

Reduce Stress

Consider alternative therapies such as massage, homeopathy and acupuncture for stress relief, the treatment of chronic health issues or as preventative medicine. Many find significant relief by complementing their current regime with time-tested, traditional therapies. These modalities are holistic in nature, meaning they have the potential to address all aspects of your being – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Renewing your commitments to health and vibrancy does not mean you have to engaging in extreme adjustments. Making simpler choices that fit your lifestyle while also addressing your health needs will allow you to set the stage for achieving the resolutions and goals that inspire you this year, and for years to come.