It’s hard to believe that it’s almost the New Year! The last few years have been crazy to say the least and with so much weirdness, thinking about New Year’s resolutions is probably a little daunting. New Year’s resolutions look different this year and they should – with so much attention on protecting our health, it’s no wonder that resolutions are swinging much more towards wellness and lifestyle. It’s also important, in such an unsure environment, to set up simple, attainable resolutions to ensure wins in the new year.
In the past – exercise has always been a big resolution. Things like 'I’m going to work out every-day' or finally train for my first marathon. Big, lofty resolutions that usually end up on the gym floor sometime in January. This year is a good time to shift focus to more overall wellness resolutions that will help our whole selves. And it’s easy to add some smaller, achievable resolutions that in the end will make us look and feel better. Things like setting up a bedtime and sticking to it to make sure you’re getting the right amount of restorative sleep or making sure to drink 8 glasses of water every day to keep the body hydrated. Perhaps you want to add a wellness element to your beauty routine to ensure that you are looking your best as well. (Make sure to check out Glotrition - the beauty wellness brand with the perfect products to help you start your own beauty wellness journey in the new year.)
Exercise resolutions are good too, but again, shouldn’t be so far out of the realm of what you are doing now that you are setting yourself up to fail. If you start small, you can always build on the resolution throughout the year. Maybe start with “get out and walk” a few times a week and build from there.
Another resolution that many of us may want to try is “Get Outside More.” With everything going on in the last few years, it’s too easy to lock ourselves away in our homes. But getting outside where we can take in fresh air and commune with nature may be just the thing to lift us out of the pandemic depression. It's a proven fact that connecting with nature reduces stress, so get outside and take a walk (or even a hike), go watch a sunrise or sunset, or take the dog to the park. Fill your lungs with fresh air and feel an instant lift to your wellbeing!
Something else you may have heard more about in the last couple of years is mindfulness. Mindfulness is about being fully present and aware of where we are and what we are doing and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. It involves us not being so wrapped up in all our stress and technology and really being present to enjoy the moments with our family and friends.
Some people find that meditation can help with mindfulness as well as reducing stress but there are other things we can do to make it easier. Resolutions that will help in the practice of mindfulness would be no phones at the dinner table or no screens after a certain time. (After all – we know screen time interferes with restful sleep so that one is a win-win!) Taking time to be in the moment is a great lifestyle change that will not only improve your life, but those around you too.
New Year’s resolutions give us the chance to identify specific ways we’d like improve our lives and make concrete changes for the better. This year, pursue a few lifestyle and wellness goals in small steps. After all, you don’t need to change everything all at once!
Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2022!