Need to Tweak Your Resolutions? Try One of These
Registered Dietician
| 3 min read
Worried that you were a little too ambitious with your New Year’s resolutions? Trying to do too much, too fast makes it hard to stick with your new habits. That’s one of the reasons why 80 percent of Americans dismiss their resolutions by the second week of February. Instead of giving up, why not tweak your goals a little? Here are nine easy ways to work towards a healthier body, mind and spirit.
Resolutions for a Healthier Body
- Drink More Water: Staying properly hydrated flushes toxins from the body, boosts the immune system and relieves fatigue. The daily recommended water intake is two liters. Non-water drinkers should make a rule to drink at least one glass of water before eating or drinking anything else.
- Taste the Rainbow: Kick off the new year by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. Consuming nine to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day supports the body in fighting weight gain, chronic conditions, and cancer. Meal planning also helps, so try to incorporate produce into every meal and snack.
- Control Portions: Remember to be aware of daily portion sizes for both food and drinks. Measure portions for accuracy and keep a food log to stay on track.
Resolutions for a Healthier Mind
- Relax Regularly: Whether it’s through meditation or merely setting aside quiet time alone, find ways to regularly unwind from the day. Doing so can improve focus and memory while diminishing worry and stress.
- Exercise the Brain: Sudoku, crossword puzzles and word searches are all simple, fun ways to exercise the mind. Brain teasers and games such as Lumosity, Personal Zen, Happify and Brain Trainer are also available to download on mobile devices.
- Start Journaling: Writing down thoughts and aspirations can be therapeutic, evoke self-awareness and spark creativity. Better yet, it’s been shown that those who write down their goals are 50 percent more likely to achieve them.
Resolutions for a Healthier Spirit
- Have a Daily Affirmation: Reciting positive phrases and practicing self-love can guard against stress and improve self-esteem. Consider affirmations that are short and easy to remember, so that they are top of mind in moments of stress or anxiety. It can even be a song you sing to remain positive and inspired.
- Do What You Love: Take time away from weekly routines to enjoy a special hobby or activity. Relieving yourself of responsibilities periodically has been shown to promote positive thinking and helps to curb work exhaustion.
- Self-Reflect: Harboring negative energy can result in emotional, mental and even physical discomfort. Let go of last year’s hiccups and head into the new year ready to make positive changes for an overall healthier life.
For more motivational tips, check back at A Healthier Michigan all year long.
Photo credit: Eli Duke
