5 top tips to a productive 2019 for ostomates

It’s a new year. The opportunity to make a fresh start. It’s a great time of year to take stock and become more organised than ever before. This way you can ensure that 2019 is even more productive!

Of course, getting everything in order is never going to be an easy task. But, you know what they say: “Out with the old, in with the new”. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reset, reassess, and think about what you can do to make 2019 as stress-free as possible.

Don’t worry though – if you follow some of these simple tips to help stay on top of the game, you won’t go far wrong!

Kick off the new year with a well-deserved cleanse

Like many of us, you might feel like you’ve indulged yourself over the festive period – and that’s not an issue! But, before you begin on your mission to an awesome 2019, it’s a great idea to cleanse your body and mind.

Whilst living with an ostomy does mean that your nutritional requirements will differ slightly to those of others, there are a number of healthy diet ideas and options available across the internet that you can check out.

Why not have a read of these healthy eating guidelines for ostomates from Colostomy UK, here:

Or try the Oakmed nutrition guide here.

Set a morning & evening routine

This doesn’t mean that you have to stick to exactly the same routine every day of the week. Who doesn’t love a good lie in at the weekend?! However, having a plan for what the first and last hour of your day should look like will prove to be beneficial.

Starting the day off on the right footing will help you to feel in control and ready to take on whatever may come at you. If you feel rushed most mornings, you could set your alarm 15 to 20 minutes earlier than usual to give yourself time to get everything done.

It’s a good idea to try and prepare as much as possible the night before: iron clothes, get your coffee machine ready, and do whatever you need to do!

Try to exercise more

Hear the phrase ‘New Year’s Resolution’, and the first thing that often comes to mind is the gym. If the thought of weights and treadmills incites boredom for you, don’t worry. You can get your exercise in more ways than you think, and even aiming to go for a mile-long walk each day would start to improve your fitness.

As an ostomate, it’s also important that you have the right fitness plan that is tailored to you living with your stoma. Take a look at these four great fitness tips for ostomates here:

Set yourself a meal plan

Not only is meal planning a brilliant way to help keep your health goals on target, but it will also save you more time than you think! If you’ve got a plan set out at the beginning of the week, it means that you can get all of your shopping done in one go. Following a healthy eating routine when you have a colostomy or ileostomy is key, although it can sometimes be tricky to know exactly what you should and shouldn’t be eating.

The majority of people with stomas won’t need to change their diet and should follow a healthy eating pattern just like everybody else. One good trick is to plan to eat little and often, rather than in one big meal. This can help you to manage your output much easier throughout the day.

Use our home delivery service and never run out of supplies!

We understand that for many ostomates, keeping on top of their stoma-related supplies can sometimes be a time-consuming and stressful task. If you haven’t already tried it, our home delivery service will help you arrange deliveries in an efficient and stress-free manner. You can relax in the knowledge that your supplies will be with you in good time, with no panic about running out.

The time and effort saved can be used to work towards your other goals! You can find out more about how our free home delivery service works by clicking here. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.

Regardless of what your New Year’s resolution may be, sticking to these tips will help you to lead a healthier, more organised and carefree lifestyle. 2019 is your year.