22 New Years Resolutions That Are Not Centered Around Diets & Weight Loss
Ringing in the New Year is often accompanied by making commitments to become a better version of ourselves. And although, any day is great day to start something new, the symbolic meaning of New Years Day can be a great catalyst for new beginnings. It takes a great deal of courage and bravery to start the path of self discovery and growth. Unfortunately, there are thousands of companies that capitalize on this movement and sell diets, shakes, detoxes and weight loss as the key to happiness. Spoiler alert, it’s not. In fact, constantly focusing on the number on the scale, limiting calories to 1200 a day, and restricting major food groups is the surest way to damage your health & wellbeing. You are not a problem that needs to be solved, or damaged goods that need to be fixed. That doesn’t mean you should accept the status quo, if you’re not happy & healthy, then something isn’t working for you anymore. Just be sure the goal is to enhance the best parts of you, and not to destroy the “worst” parts.
Declutter 1 Item Each Day
Reduced clutter is linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and better sleep. Our homes are a direct reflection of our minds. When we have less clutter around us we are more likely to have less clutter in our heads as well. If you are struggling with feeling overwhelmed, decluttering can be a great place to start. Less stuff means less energy spent caring and maintaining that stuff. Excessive clutter can hold old, stagnant energy, which can interrupt your personal energy as well. Think about it, every object has a purpose. If you have hundreds of objects shoved into corners, not serving their purpose, that is the energy you are living in.
2. Journal Before Bed
Relaxing bed time rituals are key for better sleep and over well being. As you walk around during the day, you think thousands of thoughts, see thousands of sights, and so on. All the information you have been processing can get stuck in our minds and bodies. Making it difficult to unwind at the end of the day. Journaling is a great way to give all of those experiences a place to live that is not in your head.
3. Read 1 Book a Month
Knowledge is power. Imagination is play. No matter your preferred genre, regular reading is vital for brain functioning, sleep, and can even be a powerful too for exploring intense emotions in a more manageable way. You can join a book club or start digging through your personal collection, there is no wrong way to begin!
4. Stretch in the Morning
Stretching is often treated as the ugly duckling in the movement family. Weightlifting, running marathons, and intricate yoga poses (although awesome) tend to over shadow this vital part of physical health. Stretching keeps our muscles healthy & strong, as well as, lowers our risk of injury. If you have a goal of moving your body more in the upcoming year, stretching is an easy and powerful place to start!
5. Save $100 a Month
Financial stability is a vital piece of holistic health. Ongoing stress over makings ends meet, saving, and investing for the future contribute to chronic conditions such as headaches, stomach aches, high blood pressure, and more. A recent poll done by CNBC revealed that finances are the number one cause of stress for Americans. Savings can turn a catastrophe into an inconvenience.
6. Hike Every Full Moon
This unique resolution checks so many health boxes! More time outside, regular movement, and having a spiritual practice (such intentionally working with the lunar cycles) does wonders for overall health. Find a buddy, research some local trails & enjoy the moonlight.
7. Buy 1 New Grocery Item a Week From a Local Business
Support local! This is a common declaration but many of us continue send the majority of our heard earned money to big businesses. Supporting your local businesses is great for your local economy and you!. Eating in season fruits and vegetables is good for your wallet and your health.
8. Monthly Random Acts of Kindness
You know that sparkly, joyous feeling you get when you watch your loved ones open their gifts on Christmas? Well that does not need to be condensed to one month a year. Setting aside time and money to intentionally give back to those in your community is a major serotonin boost for everyone! It can be as extravagant as paying for someone’s groceries, or as simple as letting someone cut in front of you in line. Kindness is the cure for all that hostility present in the world today.
9. Listen to Positive Affirmations During Commute to Work
We live in a highly stressful world and it has been particularly challenging these past few years. Negative thoughts can become full blown cognitive distortions when repeated habitually. Depending on what state your mental health is, positive affirmations can serve as that boost to lift your spirits. Practiced enough and you may even begin to believe these positive words and integrate them as truth!
10. Reduce Screen Time by 1 Hour per Day
In our modern world it really isn’t realistic to try and cut out screens altogether. But excessive screen time is linked to disrupted sleeping patterns, unhealthy weight gain, anxiety, depression, and more. A good mark would be around 2 hours of screen time outside of work duties. If you are way over that marker, don’t worry! Instead of mindlessly scrolling to decompress, try streaming your favorite podcast while you tidy up the house.
11. Do a Family Craft For Each Major Holiday
It can be challenged squeezing in quality family time amongst all of life’s responsibilities. But forming strong & secure connections is the #1 practice for a healthier and happier life. So do some digging on Pinterest and find a fun project to let everyone’s creative spirit shine.
12. Try 1 New Plant Based Recipe a Week
This goes for any vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore. Whether you are strictly plant based or love your steaks and hamburgers, more plants means better health. A wide variety of plants contributes to a wide variety microorganisms that contribute to your gut health. This is key for overall health!
13. Find Movement That Feels Fun
Have you ever been in this scenario? A New Year begins, you vow to run on your treadmill every day despite your disdain for it, quit after a week, and then blame yourself for not being disciplined enough to follow through? Maybe you can’t stick to that goal because you hate running on a treadmill! There is no one size fits all rules for healthy movement. Finding movement that feels FUN for you is crucial for making it a habit. What are somethings you loved to do as a child? Dancing, exploring the woods, or jumping rope can make you feel like a kid again!
14. Sleep 8 Hours Per Night
You need sleep! Quality sleep to be specific. Sleep in the fundamental building block to holistic health. Without quality sleep you can suffer from hormonal imbalances, risk of diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, a weaker immune system, memory issues, and much more. So set that bedtime reminder, dim the lights, and get to bed!
15. 10 Minute Walk After Lunch
Do you get an hour lunch break, inhale your meal in 15 minutes and then spend the other 45 minutes on your phone? Walking is my personal favorite form of movement, especially when I can do it outside. Regular walks (especially directly after a meal) are great for managing blood sugar levels, enhancing your mood, and keeping your heart healthy.
16. Start A Garden
It’s true that the best tasting food is home grown. And that deep sense of accomplishment that comes from growing your own tomato is indescribable. Whether you have a yard to set up an entire raised bed garden or can start with some herbs in a pot on your windowsill, connecting with nature helps remind us that we are not separate from nature.
17. Meditate for 5 Minutes Before Getting Out of Bed
The benefits of a regular meditation practice are plentiful! From lessened anxiety symptoms to improved immune responses, the practice of sitting with your inner world can be the difference between persevering during challenges and stopping short of your breakthrough. This is arguably one of the most difficult resolutions to stick with, so starting with only five minutes a day is a great way to get started. The good news is there is no real difference in benefits concerning the length of your meditations. So anything counts!
18. Complete 1 Continued Education Course
Whether you want to continue climbing the corporate ladder, finally start that side hustle, or expand your knowledge on a topic you are deeply interested in, continued education brings about a sense of fulfillment and growth. I personally believe being a life long learner helps you stay young, as well. Personal growth and evolutions is the reason life continues to expand and transform. If you get too comfortable your energy can become stagnant and your disposition ridged. Be open and willing to be a beginner again!
19. Skincare regimen every night
Healthy, glowing skin starts from the inside out, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect regular care of your skin. Adding a nightly skincare regimen into your bedtime routine can become a ritual that serves you well beyond the physical benefits. To turn this into a mindfulness practice, imagine your skin glowing and being infused with love as you wash and apply your serums. Plus, younger looking skin never hurts!
20. Swap 1 Toxic Cleaning Product With a Clean Brand Every Month
I could go on and on about sneaky toxins hiding in popular cleaning products, but the gist is, harsh chemicals can act like foreign estrogen hormones, causing hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, breast cancer, and more. They can be found in chemicals and plastics. This is my number one suggestion when clients suffer from PMS, PCOS, hyper/hypothyroidism, and any other hormonal imbalance.
21. Monthly Date Nights
Your relationship to your partner can take a hit between busy work schedules and taking care of the kids, pets, and home. So many report feeling disconnected from their significant other amongst life’s responsibilities. Weekly date nights are great but that doesn’t always fit in everyone’s schedule, or their budget. Committing to a date night with your partner (or your Self if you are single) can help keep that foundation solid.
22. Donate $20 a Month
Charitable giving is something I strongly believe in. If you want to receive more of anything, you first need to practice giving freely. Picking a local or international organization to regularly donate to is a wonderful way to bless others and foster and attitude of gratitude. What you put out into the world is what will come back to you, so you might as well make it filled with love.
The bottom line is this…
Health wellness is SO MUCH MORE than how heavy your body is. If you have goals this year that do involve losing weight and upping your nutrition game, just know that that is beautiful as well. Just make sure you are coming from a place of self love & respect rather than fear & self-loathing. Intention is everything.
If you are ready to transform your health & wellness (mentally, emotionally, or physically), learn how to create routines and rituals that will stick, and connect with your self empowerment, you can schedule a FREE Clarity Call here & see if working with me is the right fit for you.