Oklahoma City Indian Clinic provides tips for reaching your health goals in 2022.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, wants to promote health and wellness tips for those resolving to live healthier in the coming year.
Many people find themselves making New Year’s resolutions, but not sticking with them. This can be frustrating, but luckily, there are ways to incorporate your health goals into your daily life.
“Breaking your resolution into small, attainable goals throughout the year instead of one large goal will improve your chances of success,” said Misty Gillespie, OKCIC’s Director of Behavioral Health. “If your goal is to exercise more, start small. Set a goal to exercise for an amount of time that is realistic for your lifestyle, and then you can add more when you’ve met that goal consistently.”
It’s important to change one behavior at a time. Behavior changes happen slowly, and changing too many at once can be counterproductive. Talking to the people in your life and asking for support as you make these changes can help.
“Remember that perfection is not possible,” Gillespie said. “If you make a mistake, you can recover and continue working toward your goal.”
OKCIC has a variety of resources available for patients who want to live a healthier lifestyle. Our Wellness Center is open by appointment only from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday. Call (405) 948-4900 ext. 618 to make an appointment. We also have Tai Chi, Zumba, Circuit Training, Moccasin Movers, Core Power and Yoga classes available for patients 12 and older. Patients can sign up for classes at okcic.com.
Improving your diet can reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Try to reduce sodium and added sugar in your food as much as possible. If you need recipe inspiration, OKCIC has a list of recipes at http://okcic.com/programs/sdpi/star-cooking-class-recipes/
All recipes are low in fats, sodium and added sugars, so you can be sure you’re making a healthy choice.
Another important part of prioritizing your health is making sure your vaccinations are up-to-date and you have all your annual exams scheduled. People 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get an annual flu vaccination. Talk with your provider to see what vaccinations you need. The COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended for everyone ages 5 and older. OKCIC is giving free COVID-19 vaccinations to Native patients and non-Native community members, including boosters. Call (405) 595-3100 opt. 2 to schedule an appointment.
New Year’s resolutions can be daunting, but it’s important to make small changes and persevere.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 21,000 patients from over 220 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please call (405) 948-4900 or visit www.okcic.com.