Healthy New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Introduction

The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity to make positive changes in your life, break harmful habits, and boost your health and happiness. In light of this, it’s no surprise that many people ring in the New Year by making health-related resolutions.

Exercising more, slimming down, and eating better are perennial favorites among those who resolve to better themselves in the new year. Although only a minority of individuals are successful in maintaining their commitments, you may take action this year to improve your health and reach your objectives. The start to this is setting realistic goals.

Eight New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Here are some healthy New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep.

1. Eat more whole foods

Increasing your intake of whole foods is a simple and long-lasting strategy for better health. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish are all examples of whole foods that are rich in nutrients. A diet rich in whole foods decreases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. If you’re an emotional eater, introducing whole foods might help you stop this habit.

And the best part is that you can gradually and steadily add more whole foods to your diet without causing any major dietary disruptions. If you aren’t used to eating veggies, for instance, try including one serving of your preferred vegetable into your diet every day.

2. Walk more

Getting in as much exercise as possible is beneficial to your health. One of the healthy New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep is this rule of thumb – if it’s within a mile, try walking instead of driving. Even if your area isn’t walkable, you can still park at the bank or the drugstore and walk from there to the other errands you need to run.

Walking instead of driving has been shown to increase life expectancy, boost happiness, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer.

This also helps reduce emissions of gases that contribute to global warming. Another thing you can do to maximize your step count is to get up and walk whenever your phone is in your hand. And if you’re confined to a smaller space, our friends at Big Man’s Moving Company have the perfect advice- just march in place! After a long bound of sitting, even stepping side to side works!

3. Reduce stress

Taking care of yourself and keeping your mind and body in excellent shape requires learning how to deal with stressful situations. Boosting your mental health is a daily practice, so make sure you take time to decompress every day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, try doing something as easy as taking a stroll, listening to music, or performing deep breathing techniques. Finding healthy strategies to reduce stress is important since prolonged stress can have negative effects on health and well-being.

4. Take time for self-care

Putting your own needs first is not self-indulgent. It’s crucial for your health and happiness. This is especially true for parents or very busy, career-focused people. Self-care is important, but fitting it into a hectic schedule may be challenging. In spite of this, it’s time well spent.

Caring for oneself doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You may do this by doing something as simple as taking a soothing bath once a week, going to your favorite yoga class, cooking yourself a good dinner, taking a walk in the park, or sleeping in for an additional hour every week.

5. Cut back on the booze

While there is some evidence that moderate alcohol use has health advantages, heavy drinking remains a major issue. Excessive alcohol use disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, which has been linked to psychological problems like depression and memory loss.

Furthermore, heavy drinking on a regular basis increases your chance of developing a variety of malignancies, including those of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast. If you’re trying to quit, create a sober environment in your home. This will help you stay on track. So for a healthy 2023, reduce your alcohol intake gradually, or abstain entirely if you’ve never had any.

6. Try a hobby

It is typical for individuals to lose interest in activities they formerly enjoyed as they become older, whether because of work obligations or simply because they lack the time or energy to devote to the hobby.

But we all know the satisfaction of getting good at something we enjoy doing. Partaking in a hobby can reduce stress and bring that sweet feeling of relaxation and satisfaction. So, as one of the healthy New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep, do something you’ve always wanted to do or revisit an old passion this year.

7. Create a bedtime alarm

Let’s be honest – most of us typically get less than seven hours of sleep every night. In spite of the fact that you probably can’t sleep in any longer than usual, you may get to bed at a more reasonable hour. You can achieve this by setting the alarm for 45 to 60 minutes before lying down. As soon as it goes off, begin your pre-bedtime rituals, such as having a shower, packing your children’s lunches, or preparing overnight oats.

Since the blue light emitted by electronic gadgets like TVs, computers, and smartphones can delay the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, the alarm can also act as a reminder to switch off the TV, close the computer, and put down the phone.

Reduce the brightness of your electronic reading gadgets if you want to read in bed. Dim the lights in your bedroom or use a device that reduces blue light. With these rituals, you will feel more relaxed, and in return, you’ll get better sleep.

8. Visit the doctor regularly

There are several benefits to maintaining a regular examination schedule with your doctor. Routine screenings and blood tests can help detect health issues before they worsen.

Experts recommend seeing your primary care physician at least once a year for a checkup, while the frequency of your trips to the doctor may vary depending on several factors, such as the treatment you get, your age, and your medical history.

Final Words

Despite their popularity, most resolutions are often abandoned by February. Altering your food and exercise habits are good places to start, but there are many more factors to consider, such as lowering your expenses, returning to school, or keeping stress under control. The key to success with any goal is to take things slowly and carefully, and then you will be able to create healthy New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep. Happy New Year, and good luck!