Every New Year’s Eve I make the same resolution: to live a healthier lifestyle. Easy, right? You’d think so. But, in reality, it isn’t so simple. Making non-specific goals like this sets you up for failure because you can’t really track your success. After years of my own failure, I’ve learned that resolutions should be specific and realistic based on your current lifestyle. You also shouldn’t wait until a New Year to start making goals. Think about things you can consistently work on throughout the year instead of waiting for January 1 to roll around.
Instead of making one general goal, it’s much more achievable to set smaller goals that will ultimately lead you to your end goal. Here are 15 resolutions to consider making for 2017:
1. Start listening to your body. If you’re tired, go to bed. If you’re not hungry, don’t eat. If you’re getting sick, take a step back and rest Take a few minutes each day to do a mental check on your overall wellness. Your body will thank you for it.
2. Find a workout you actually enjoy. One of the main reasons workout routines fail is because we’re forcing ourselves to do things we think we should be, rather than what excites us and makes us feel good. If you hate running, you’re going to find every excuse in the world not to do it. There are literally so many different exercises to try these days so figure out what works for you and stop doing what makes you miserable.
3. Learn to cook one healthy meal. Having a go to meal that is not only delicious but healthy is a major key to adulting. Find one that’s basic enough that you can add your own spin to it. One of my favorites is Thug Kitchen which you can buy here
4. Start journaling. This doesn’t have to be a memoir of your deepest darkest secrets. Simply writing a to do list, a favorite quote, doodling, anything that lets you release some creative energy.
5. Drink more water. Your doctor says it, your mom says it, articles online say it, now just do it. Your skin will thank you for it. You can set an alarm on your phone or download an app that sends reminders to sip some H2O throughout the day.
6. Schedule one day a month to spend by yourself. Entirely by yourself. Turn off your phone or put it out of reach. Do something you love. Do 10 things you love. Binge watch Netflix. Bake something. Read. Run. Snug with your dog. Whatever it is, just do it completely alone and distraction-free.
7. Try something new. You don’t have to love it. You don’t have to make it your new hobby. But try something you’ve never done before. Getting out of your comfort zone is tough, but can also be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
8. Get rid of 5 things. Old towels. Clothes you don’t wear. Receipts from two years ago. Food that’s expired. A regret. Anything that no longer serves a purpose in your life. By doing this, you’re making room in your life for what’s to come.
9. Turn off the app notifications on your phone. I turned social media notifications off on my phone and I stopped constantly reaching for it. I’d always had a habit of needing to check my phone right away when I had a notification and that led to me constantly checking my phone out of habit. Once I turned the notifications off, I had more control over how often I was checking social media. I started focusing less on what everyone else was posting or doing and more on my own life.
10. Call, text, or email someone you haven’t talked to in a while. It’s always a nice feeling when someone checks in to see what you’ve been up to and just lets you know you’re on their mind. Try re-connecting with someone you may have lost touch with.
11. Learn a new skill. This kind of goes hand in hand with #7 but this one requires more effort. Instead of just trying something once, try something new and get good at it. Personally, I’m trying to make baking and/or boxing my thing in 2018 but you can pick literally anything. Whether it’s cooking, yoga, sewing, or the guitar, learning a new skill gives you a sense of fulfillment and will ultimately lead to a boost in confidence.
12. Start reading some of the ingredients on what you’re eating. You don’t need to start making drastic changes in what you’re putting in to your body but you should start being aware of all the ingredients you’re consuming. If you don’t feel great every time you eat a certain kind of food, by looking at the ingredients you may start to notice what’s causing a problem for you and you can slowly eliminate it from your diet. No harm can be done by simply looking at the ingredients and it takes literally two seconds.
13. Tell yourself 3 things you’re grateful for every day. I don’t know the scientific or psychological reason why this helps, but from my own personal experience, it’s great. After reading “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero (highly recommend) I started adding this to my morning and night routine. When I first wake up and right before I go to bed I tell myself 3 things I’m grateful for. I don’t always remember to do this, but I notice a significant change in my mood on a day to day basis when I do.
14. Start your morning with a stretch and end your day with a plank. These are two very simple things that can have a major impact on your general well-being that require only a few minutes a day. Flexibility can help with circulation and muscle mobility and planks help with overall body strength, posture, coordination, etc.
15. Wake up a little earlier every day. Maybe you already do this and hats off to you, but it’s a goal I have for myself and I think a lot of other people wish they could do the same. Just waking up a few minutes earlier each day will have a big impact on your productivity.