The year is quickly coming to an end. Among other anxieties – like final exams and last-minute holiday shopping – many people think and plan their new year resolution.
New diets, relationship dynamics, jobs and many other goals run the gamut of many of our new year’s resolutions.
This year, like every year, I’m prioritizing self-care – and I hope you will, too.
We all know self-care is important, but how often do we prioritize that? Too often, we get caught up in our day to day lives that we forget to care for ourselves. And that leads to burnout and generally feeling crappy.
If you’re looking for new year resolutions, consider trying these things to help you be a healthier you:
1. Get enough sleep.
We hear it all the time, but it’s true: sleep is important for our overall wellbeing. The average person needs about 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Studies show that getting enough sleep helps in several areas of health, including making you feel ready to take on the day. So if you haven’t already, prioritize your sleep.
2. Eat healthy foods.
Just like sleeping, eating is a necessity in life that too many of us skip. Food fuels our body, so we should eat things that help give us energy. Think less processed foods, like chips and soda, and more whole foods, like broccoli and chicken. In addition to sleep, eating satiating food improves your overall energy levels.
3. Exercicse.
Exercise has loads of benefits, and what’s great about it is that you can do it pretty much anywhere. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your day. You don’t have to hit the gym or lift heavy weights – something as simple as dancing to your favorite song, taking a walk, and even walking up the stairs are all great forms of exercise.
4. Schedule time for yourself.
Admist the holiday season, sometimes we forget about scheduling some time for ourselves. It may sound silly, but add it to your calendar if you need the reminder. I do this regularly, making a list of things I like to do by myself that help me relax and connect with myself. It really helps to center you, making you enjoy life and appreciate yourself.
5. Hang out with friends.
This doesn’t contradict the above; you need social interaction just as much as you need to spend time with yourself. Host a potluck, meet up in the park, go window-shopping – whatever you and your friends feel like doing, do it and enjoy yourselfs. And this goes without saying, but make sure you spend time with people who are good for you (and vice versa).
6. Just live.
I’m guilty of constantly counting down the days, looking at what I have planned next week and so on. It’s hard to be in the moment, but when you are, you truly start living. Don’t put off that novel you want to write, that craft you want to do, or something else that you think you have time for. Life is short, and the more we make the most of every moment, the more life becomes magical, something we look forward to every day.
Everyone’s new year resolution looks different, but the best ones lead to a happier, healthier life.
Whatever you make your new year resolution, I hope you’ll consider some of the suggestions listed above. If you get nothing else out of this article, I hope you take the time to do what you really want to do in life.
Do you have any new year’s resolutions? What are they? Let us know in the comments below!
