How many New Year’s resolutions have you made in your lifetime that you’ve actually stuck to? It’s the same story for a lot of us. We start out strong, putting things in place and kicking goals, then a few months or even weeks go by, and motivation dwindles. Old habits creep back in, new habits fade, and we’re back where we started until December when we swear things will be different next year
Like any goals you set in life, your New Year’s resolutions need to be achievable, measurable, and imbedded in your mind as worthwhile.
Here are some simple and achievable New Year’s resolutions that might go the distance and are worth sticking to.
Stay connected to people
The last few years have created a major social void in our lives, and it can be tricky to reignite those relationships and stoke them all year round, but your mental health will be better for it. Humans – as much as some of us love to deny it – are social by nature. When we’re around the people we love and enjoy in a connected and meaningful way, we can fill our social cup. It can be something as simple as a regular check-in or even ditching the TV and smart phone to have dinner around the table and talk to one another.
Make good quality sleep a priority
If you’re a busy body, it can be hard to find time for all the activities, demands, and pressures your daily life brings, but forgoing a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is a surefire way to burn yourself out. Regular good quality sleep can improve your energy levels, mood, and overall health in more ways than you might know. Things can wait until tomorrow when you’re well rested.
Get physical
You’ve likely heard it a thousand times, but here’s 1001: get regular physical activity! If the thought of a gym instantly makes you tired, then finding a hobby or activity you’re interested in that involves physical activity can be your regular exercise. Contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to exercise and have fun at the same time! Take up a sport. Walk your dog. Go bowling. Just move!
Put down the device for a while
It’s easy to lock squarely onto a screen that has endless streams of content at your fingertips and all curated to your interests. Before you know it, the mindless scroll has eaten away at hours of your day while you sit in an awkward and hunched position doing not much of anything. A lot of great conversations, magnificent sights, and healthiest habits can come from simply looking up more often. Set device-free time daily and catch up on the world around you!