It’s that day in the year when many of us are full of resolve to make improvements to our lifestyles in the coming 12 months. Some will make new year’s resolutions to give up smoking or drinking, or to start exercising more regularly, and so on.
Invariably, many of us will crack and go back to our old habits. Some sacrifices are just too hard to maintain.
But resolving to be healthier does not need to be hard. Rather than feeling like you are giving up something cherished, a promise to yourself to take better care of your body will more likely than not end up making you feel happier and more content.
And there’s no need to be radical … just a few small tweaks to your lifestyle are enough to get you on the right track without too much angst. Here are 15 simple new year’s resolutions collected from around the worldwide web that you could try:
- get at least seven hours of sleep a night
- eat every two to three hours rather than waiting until you’re ‘hangry’
- wear sunscreen every time you go outside
- take a brisk 15-minute walk each day
- make time after each meal to do some simple stretches
- drink a glass of water before and after each meal
- cut meat out from a couple of meals a week
- have some healthy snacks nearby so that you are not tempted to open a packet of biscuits, or something worse, when you feel like a nibble
- at least once a day, go somewhere quiet, and relax by closing your eyes and taking 10, slow breaths
- add less salt and sugar to your meals
- take up a hobby, such as knitting or colouring in, and practise it when you feel stressed
- practise forgiveness, gratitude and do less complaining, because studies show this works to boost physical health
- read one book a month
- take up drawing or painting
- concentrate on your posture so that you sit and walk as straight as you can.
Have you ever stuck to a new year’s resolution successfully? What resolution will you be making for 2019? Or, do you think new year’s resolutions are pointless?
Related articles:
The power of a cuddle
How to improve concentration
Mind what you think
