If you’re aiming for a better, healthier you in the New Year, then it’s time to step up your game! Make resolutions that are easy, and something you’ll stick to – not a restrictive fad diet or juice cleanse. New Year’s resolutions for better health don’t have to be intense to make a big difference. They also don’t have to be focused on physical fitness. Here are some ideas to get you going.
5 Easy New Year’s Resolutions for Better Health that You Can Stick To
1. Aim for Deeper, Longer Sleep
Sleep impacts every other factor of your health. It affects your muscle recovery post-workout, it regulates your mood, it heals your body and reboots your brain. It’s crucial to feeling well. Yet it’s the first thing to go when we’re busy, stressed, or overwhelmed. The longer you go without sleep, the worse it affects your health and productivity, making you more stressed. So, do yourself a favor and aim for at least 7 hours of sleep. If you have trouble getting deep sleep, try natural herbal remedies for deeper, better sleep, like valerian root.
2. Batch Task Your Cooking, and Eat Regularly
If you prep your food in one sitting, you can save time. Focus on whatever meal is hardest for you to get to during the day. If you always run late in the mornings, make sure breakfast is prepped and ready. If dinner is a struggle to get done, then use your crockpot or pre-cut any veggies or meat. Packing lunch is difficult? Make larger dinners and then pack leftovers.
Doing this will help you always have food on hand and take the stress out of the week when it comes to food. And if you can eat every 3 – 4 hours, you’ll be less likely to bottom out and binge on junk food or fast food.
3. Practice Gratitude, and Find Your Stress Release
If you find that stress is overwhelming you every day, then find a stress release outlet. Maybe you like to play guitar or the drums, or you like kickboxing classes. That’s physical release. If quiet helps you calm down, then try yoga, meditation, or reading. That’s mental release. Sometimes, a good show or movie that always makes you laugh can be an emotional release.
Besides your stress outlet, practicing gratitude everyday can help shift your focus from negativity to positivity. The more you practice, the better you’ll feel.
4. Say No More Often, And Simplify Your Life
If you find you don’t have time to keep up with healthy habits, then you probably have too much going on. Simplify your life and your routine. Say no to things that aren’t necessary, especially things you don’t enjoy but do only to please others. Declutter your home so you spend less time cleaning. Ask for help when you can’t get it all done.
5. Give Your Diet and Fitness Routine a Boost
If you set a diet or fitness goal every year and always give up, then give it a boost! Don’t try the same thing over and over and expect to like it. If you hate cardio, then stop trying to make yourself spend an hour on the elliptical. Play Just Dance on the Nintendo Switch with your kids instead. If you hate kale, don’t buy it. Find a veggie you do love. Make small changes to get big results. Drink more water. Add superfoods to your diet where you can. Use more herbs and spices in your cooking, for more flavor and more health benefits. Aim to eat less sugar. Try a new fitness class, or a new workout routine. Find yummy, healthy recipes on Pinterest. Find small things you can enjoy, and try new things.
What are Your Resolutions?
Share your resolutions with us on Instagram or Facebook, and let us hear how you plan to achieve them! Will you try any of the ones listed here?
Happy New Year!