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If the past couple years have taught us anything, it’s that we should never take our health and overall well-being for granted. Ringing in the new year with attainable resolutions help us reflect on our past choices and plan ahead for a bigger and brighter future. Check out these 6 New Year’s Resolutions to achieve a happy, healthy life AND ways to accomplish them.
Prioritize annual health screenings
Open your planner and make these appointments for the year in one sitting. If you don’t schedule them, you’ll end up putting it off. This way you will be able to schedule your year around these important screenings:
- Blood pressure to make sure it’s in check, an important step to help avoid serious health problems
- Blood work to ensure that your key health measures are in order
- Cholesterol levels to measure your risk of heart disease and stroke
- Diabetes screening if you have risk factors
- Depression screening
- Height and weight
- History of illness in your family, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions
- Screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, depending on risk factors or at your request
- Skin screening for moles or growths that look out of the ordinary
- Vaccine history
- Annual flu shot
Practice self-care and reduce your stress levels
Making time for yourself is extremely important when regulating your stress levels, mental health plays a large role in your physical well being. Whether that’s simple lifestyle changes or getting professional help, it’s important to take care of your entire well being.
- Prioritize your hobbies, habits, and people who make you happy
- Practice mindful meditation
- Have a go-to morning and nighttime routine that makes you feel relaxed and happy
- Stay hydrated (8 cups of water a day)
- Implement a healthy non-restrictive diet
- Try a weekly social media detox
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep (every single night)
- Organize and declutter your home – Clean space, clean mind
- Utilizing a daily planner and a journal
- Practice gratitude even for the smallest things
- Set boundaries when needed
- Consider therapy or counseling services to fortify your mental health
Make time for Philanthropy & Giving
Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. Giving > Getting
- Donate blood
- Find a cause that you care about
- Volunteer at soup kitchen or homeless shelter
- Pay for someone else at the drive-thru
- Overtip your service workers
- Keep up to date with local charities on their social media
- Take part in a charity run
- Donate unwanted items (unworn clothes, furniture, old electronics, etc.)
- Donate blankets, gloves, coats, etc
- Pick up litter
- Practice kindness everyday
Improve your financial wellness
These unprecedented times demand us to focus on the present and be better prepared for the future, especially when it comes to financial wellness. Save yourself from the pressures of financial stress in 2023.
- Take advantage of employer retirement contributions or start contributing to a retirement fund
- Pay off credit cards by regularly scheduling automatic payments
- Increase/improve your credit score
- Try to pay off one thing that requires monthly payments
- Reach a certain amount in savings by the end of the year
- Set up an emergency fund and build it to a percentage of your salary
- Save for a big goal (down payment on house, car, etc.)
- Budget to make room for items, experiences, or indulgences that truly bring you joy
Invest in your Social Health
People come and go in your life just as fast as the new year goes by. Surrounding yourself with loved ones is something someone always needs. Bring in the new year by being more open to meeting new people and letting them into your life. Perhaps you have yet to meet a future spouse or life-long friend.
- Be more sociable
- Get involved in a club or activity
- Join local Facebook group of people with similar interests
- Volunteer in your community
- Join a gym and try an exercise class
- Go to a local music, food or art festival
- Shop at local businesses
- Join an amateur sports team
- Sign up for a dance class
Build a new skill
By consistently educating yourself and trying new things, you’ll learn you’re capable of change and growth, which keeps you open to new opportunities in life.
- Learn a new language
- Take an art class
- Try out new recipes in the kitchen
- Take specific courses online
- Learn how to play an instrument
- DIY projects – furniture, decorations, etc.
- Work on personal hobbies and life skills
- Learn basic self-defense
- Read more books
- Sewing, stitching, and patching
Get moving and Stay active
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Getting your body moving can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Remember – your health is your wealth.
- Exercise in ways that work for you
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Try a different workout every month
- Play sports with friends
- Go ice skating
- Swim in the summer
- Take a hike on a beautiful trail
- Stretch your body more