You know the old saying: new year, new me. It’s time to put some resolutions together. We say it every year and, for the most part, we fail to stick to it every year. Come January 1st we are filled with grand ideas about how we are going to become infinitely better people. We are going to go to the gym every day, quit smoking completely and get a promotion. But, we rarely end up doing these things. Why? Because it is simply too much. With our hectic lives, it is tough keeping up a rigorous exercise regime, completely changing our diet and working harder.
For 2018, why not break the habit of a lifetime and set yourself ONE realistic resolution. Rather than a complete lifestyle overhaul, these resolutions will help you be a better you in a gradual but sustainable way.
Eat Less Meat
This is one of the most common resolutions. This doesn’t mean eat no meat. Regardless of your views on animal cruelty and the ethics of eating meat, cutting down on meat is always a good idea. It has been proven that factory farming animals is seriously bad for the environment. This directly affects you and your children. So, if you tried to just eat meat once or twice a week instead of every day then you would be doing your bit in the battle against global warming. What’s more, reducing your meat intake comes with a number of health benefits.
Be More Communicative
This might not apply to you but there are a lot of us who are guilty of not calling people enough. We might send the odd text here and there but that is no substitute for a phone call. Dedicate an hour of every week to catching up with your friends and family. Your mother would love to hear your news and your best friends will certainly have plenty to tell you. Maintaining good relationships with the people around you is great for your overall mental wellbeing.
Do 10,000 Steps a Day
Ok, you don’t have to do this every day, but studies have shown that people who do 10,000 steps a day (this equates to nearly 5 miles) are healthier. Get yourself a pedometer or a fitbit to keep track of your steps and see how often you can hit that daily goal. You should notice an improvement in your health reasonably quickly.
Say Yes to More Things
Again this isn’t a suggestion that you say yes to everything. But, if you are the kind of person who gets anxious about stepping out of your comfort zone then you might want to consider it. You never know, you might say yes to that one thing that leads to a new hobby or relationship. Plus, this is the kind of resolution that allows you to do more rather than give something up.
Adopt a Better Sleep Pattern
It is incredible how good we feel when we have had a good night’s sleep. If you can get yourself in the habit of going to bed and waking up early then you are likely to feel energised and happier. Not only this, but getting into the habit of waking up early is generally considered much better for your productivity. If you’re not keen on early mornings then just try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day to get yourself into a good routine.
