The thing on everyone's minds at the end of every year is new year's resolutions. Every January, 1 in 3 Americans resolve to live healthier that year, but within 6 months less than half of those people are still on target. Why? A common challenge is choosing a resolution that's too vague (e.g. what does "healthier" mean exactly?).
Fortunately, there is an easy solution to keeping up with your new year's resolutions: be specific. If you want to be healthier, what does that look like to you? Once you figure out what your end goal looks like, the next step is to plan out specific steps that bring you closer to that goal.
With specificity in mind, here are 5 common "healthier" resolutions that we have narrowed down and made easier to start implementing.
1. Lose Weight
Among the most popular resolutions, it can also be one of the most difficult to commit to. Make one small dietary change at a time; eat fewer calories, eat fewer carbohydrates, or add 15-30 minutes of walking to your daily routine. Keeping track of daily routines can also make a big difference. Having a food journal can help track what (and how much) you eat each day. Adding a wearable device, such as the popular Fitbit, can help get you moving and track of your daily steps.
2. Keep in Touch with Friends & Family
It’s good for your health to reconnect with family and friends. The lack of social bonds can damage your health as much as alcohol and smoking.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the hardest habits to quit. Fortunately, the fight against smoking has provided many smoking cessation resources. CVS Health pulled tobacco from their shelves last year and the results have been exceptional. They are also leading the pack in smoking cessation programs.
4. Save Money
Healthy lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking!) can also save you money. Also think about walking to work, carpooling, and cutting back on gym membership charges by exercising at home. Many video game systems have fitness programs, such as Wii Fit and Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect.
5. Cut Back on Stress
Chronic stress can cause insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more. Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not enough time with family can contribute to stress. Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, socializing, and vacationing are all great stress relievers.
What small changes will you be making this year for a happier, healthier you? Share with us in the comments below!
