52 Little Habits That Will Help You Create an Amazing 2019
| 5 min read
For many people, January 1st feels like the perfect time to make a fresh start.
Whether you want to wipe the slate clean and create all-new habits or simply renew your commitment to health, the new year is a chance to come up with goals and get motivated to achieve them. But how do you do that so they actually stick?
Decide to make smaller changes one at a time and build on them as the year goes on. Here are 52 healthy habits—one for each week of 2019—to get you started:
- Write down an affirmation and read it every morning before you get out of bed. Some ideas: “I am present,” “Life is what I make of it,” and “Happiness is a choice.”
- Start meditating a few days a week for five to 10 minutes at a time. Download a meditation app to make it easier.
- Replace 30 minutes of screen time every day with reading a magazine or book.
- Start to journal—it doesn’t have to be anything major, just jot down what stressed you out or made you feel grateful.
- Learn one new word every day.
- Try a new hobby that’s totally different from your day-to-day work (maybe it’s writing short stories, learning to arrange flowers or needlepoint).
- Download an app that promotes mental sharpness and do that instead of playing a game on your phone.
- Make it easier to stay in touch with family and friends by scheduling weekly or monthly catch-ups in advance.
- Organize your personal and professional life by mastering the art of list-making.
- Act like a kid again and pick up a coloring book. It’s a great way to let your creative juices flow and relieve some stress.
- Exercise your brain by learning a new language (and explore the culture behind it).
- Subscribe to an educational podcast about personal finance, health or relationships and listen to it on your daily commute.
- Enlist a friend to be your workout buddy and come up with a training schedule together.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time at work by setting an alarm on your phone to buzz every hour. When it goes off, get up and walk around or stretch.
- When running errands, don’t drive around looking for a parking spot closest to the door. Grab one farther away and know you’re getting in some extra steps.
- Squeeze in quickie workouts during commercial breaks.
- If you take public transportation to and from work, hop off the bus or train a couple of stops before your destination twice a week and walk the rest of the way.
- Every Sunday, plan your workouts in advance for the week. Having them written in your calendar makes it easier to prioritize exercise.
- Give your fitness playlist a boost by adding some new songs every week.
- Sign up for a sports league with your co-workers.
- Start a workplace wellness challenge and see who in the office can get the most steps each week. Friendly competition helps you stay motivated!
- Go through your workout clothes and toss out anything you don’t feel great in. If necessary, buy something new so you have the confidence you need to go to the gym.
- Instead of your usual meetings at work, try having walking or standing ones.
- When you need to chat with a colleague, leave the phone on the hook and walk over to their desk.
- Turn your trips to the gym into a family affair and get your partner and kids in on it.
- Try something new! Sign up for a workout class you’ve never done before.
- Drink a glass of water before every meal (and keep your water bottle clean!).
- Avoid trips to fast food restaurants by planning your meals in advance.
- Turn off the TV and put your phone down while you eat—it will help you be more mindful of each bite.
- Commit to more home-cooked meals and save eating out for one weekend night.
- Set aside Sunday afternoon to meal prep for the week ahead (and don’t forget to do the same for snacks!).
- Try a new healthy recipe to add into the rotation.
- Visit your local farmers market every week when they’re open.
- Switch your normal sandwich bread and pasta to whole grain varieties.
- Put your green thumb to work and plant herbs (either inside or out in a garden).
- Instill healthy habits in your kids by getting their help while you cook healthy meals.
- Make sure you’re getting your daily dose of fruits and veggies.
- Put your health first and schedule your annual check-up with your primary care physician.
- Give your home a deep clean (and make sure to target these spots where germs love to hide).
- Give up added sugar or alcohol for a month and see how you feel.
- Get a flu shot if you haven’t yet this year.
- Change the air filters in your heater to ensure they’re catching allergens.
- Set an alarm to go off 30 minutes before you should be asleep. Use that as a reminder to turn off the TV and start your pre-bed ritual.
- Download the BCBSM mobile app to make it easier to manage your health care and take advantage of member resources.
- Make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need and add a multi-vitamin or supplement if necessary.
- Take a CPR class.
- Spruce up your space! Get an indoor plant or two to improve the air you breathe.
- Even if it’s cloudy outside, apply sunscreen every day.
- Visit a landmark or cultural space in Michigan you’ve never been to before.
- Find a cause that you connect with and volunteer.
- Become a mentor to a child, neighbor or co-worker.
- Make your community a safer place for everyone.
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Photo Credit: spukkato
