The start of a New Year is often the perfect time to reflect on the previous year and make resolutions. For some, it means setting goals such as starting a new business, losing weight, or reprogramming their lives. In theory, our New Year’s plans are remarkable resolutions.
Your plans for 2021 might be a lot different than it used to be, with the COVID-19 still ravaging countries around the world. You might want to begin the New Year with a fresh outlook on life. Fill your to-do list with plans that can improve your health in the new year.
Let’s take a look at some New Year’s resolutions you can stick with:
Healthy New Year’s Resolutions
Eat high-fiber whole foods
For a healthy start, you should find ways to improve your overall health. One of the most sustainable ways to achieve that is to eat high-fiber whole foods. Studies show that consuming whole food may reduce body weight, blood sugar, heart disease risk factors, and type 2 diabetes risk. Whole foods include fish, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods provide a plethora of nutrients to keep the body at an optimal level.
Reduce alcohol consumption
Frequent drinking of alcohol may be a hindrance to your wellness and health goals. Cutting down on alcohol reduces the risk of developing heart or liver disease, cancer and could lower your blood pressure. If you’re looking to maintain or lose weight, avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol does not offer feelings of satiety gotten from food and can negatively affect your health.
Try to avoid sweetened drinks
A smart New Year resolution for a healthy start is to reduce the amount of sweetened beverages you consume daily. According to Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “The average American gets more than 200 calories a day from sugary drinks.” Besides, the thirst for sweetened drinks contributes to diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, insulin resistance, and other weight-related health issues. Thus, it’s quite essential to cut back on consuming sugary beverages. Drink plenty of water, eat more whole foods or drink 100% fruit juice ( most contain vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants).
Avoid the sedentary lifestyle at all cost
In 2021, decide to sit less and move more. Whether you are inactive or have a sedentary job, find creative ways to move often. You can walk for some minutes every hour or take a 15-minute walk at break time. When you sit too much, it can hurt your health. Sitting more may be linked to weight gain and an increased risk of mortality.
Meditate more
Meditation is an ideal resolution for the new year. The practice of meditation promotes mental wellbeing; it helps you stabilize your emotions and thoughts. Some of the science-based meditation benefits include controlling anxiety, reducing age-related memory loss, promoting emotional health, and more. Besides, meditation reduces your stress level, flushes out the emotional baggage in your system, and develop your intuition to understand and live a better and joyful life.
Get quality sleep
There are many reasons many of us do not get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for your overall health. When you deprive yourself of adequate sleep, it can lead to serious health consequences like depression, heart disease, and weight gain. Focus on your lifestyle, and have a sleep schedule — set aside at least seven hours for sleep. Be consistent, go to bed, and wake up at the same time every day. Consistency bolsters your body’s sleep-wake cycle for quality sleep.
Exercise more
People return from holiday with a quest to burn calories they have packed from sweetened beverages, alcohol, and junk meals. Every New Year, most people register with online fitness programs, workout studios, and gyms in the hope of reducing excess body fat. However, fitness zeal gradually wanes over time. In 2021, pick a physical activity that you enjoy doing and fits into your schedule. Make exercise a fun part of your everyday life.
Practice self-care
If you have not been taking care of yourself enough, it’s time to practice self-care. Whether you are a healthcare worker or a parent, find time to take care of yourself. For people with limited time and busy schedules, resolve to invest in taking good care of yourself.
Avoid junk foods
The ease of quenching hunger with convenience meals, such as frozen dinners, fast food, cookies, and packaged chips pose serious health issues. Cut back on eating these convenience meals and prepare more meals at home with healthy ingredients this New Year. You can avoid many health issues when you consume whole grain foods and other healthy meals.
Take a vacation
In the New Year, plan on taking a vacation, even if it is a short one. Traveling may enhance your wellbeing and have a positive effect on your stress level. Make a resolution to unwind with weekend gateways or a vacation with family members or friends, or on your own. Taking a holiday break can offer you some time for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Visit your doctor
Most people do not need to visit their doctors, except when they are sick or need medical attention. A visit to your doctor is essential for many reasons. You can save yourself from potential health problems, know your health history, and catch early symptoms of any severe conditions. Overall, a routine doctor’s visit will help you keep your body in check throughout the year.
Take care of your teeth
Avoid oral conditions like bad breath and gum disease when you brush and floss your teeth regularly. Gum diseases are somewhat linked to serious health conditions, such as health disease and Alzheimer’s. Make oral care an essential part of your life by going for a checkup and cleaning at a dental office at least once a year.
Create a sustainable healthy diet
Eating a sustainable, nourishing diet should be your lifestyle in 2021. While many of us make resolutions to consume healthy meals, we prioritize fad diets or short-term results over long-term health benefits. Make a plan to create and follow a healthy eating pattern. A healthy, long-term diet is not only nutritious and sustainable, which means you can follow it.
Find a new hobby
In 2021, find a new hobby or go back to those once-loved hobbies you abandoned because of lack of motivation or busy schedules. Similarly, finding a new hobby can help you discover hidden talents or find new skills. It’s a form of learning and discovery, and it’s good for your body and soul. Studies also show that when you partake in a hobby you enjoy, it helps you live a healthier life.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Eat more fruits and vegetables in the New Year. If you must stay healthier, eat more veggies and fruits. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. They prevent digestion problems and maintain a healthy gut. They contain essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, and vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables should form a part of your meals.
Stop negative body talk
Refrain from talking negatively about your body. Negative body talk can lead to decreased self-esteem and a higher level of body dissatisfaction in both men and women. Make a healthy resolution of engaging in a positive session regularly. When you talk more positive things about yourself, you prevent the risk of suffering from depression.
Spend less time indoors
Spend less time indoors and more time outdoors to improve your health. Spending time outdoors elevates your mood, relieves stress, and lowers your blood pressure. Find creative ways to spend more time outside for health goals. Take a walk, hike, camp with friends, soak in the beauty of a park, and enjoy greenery environments.
Limit screen time
Screen time can be addictive and reduces our productivity — thanks to the apps on our smartphones. Many people depend on their smart devices for entertainment and work. However, when we spend too much time on these devices, including our laptop, it affects our mental state. Set a resolution to limit your time on social media, and look for other ways to get entertained. It cuts down on anxiety, loneliness, and depression and enhances your productivity and mood.
Go grocery shopping
Go grocery shopping regularly in 2021. It would be best if you stocked your fridge with healthy ingredients for your homemade meals. Shop for nutritious ingredients, fruits, and vegetables at the farmer’s market or the supermarket. Plan your schedule to designate one day at least a week for your grocery shopping. Try and make out time to prepare your meals after shopping.
Use healthier household items
Take stock of what you use on your body and the products you use at home. If you use unhealthy products at home or on your body, it can affect your health negatively. Replace household products that are not healthy with natural household and beauty products. Purchase products that are not toxic to your environment and your body this year.
For some, new year’s resolutions they make are often short-lived. However, the healthy new year’s resolutions listed above can sustain you throughout the year as you make healthy lifestyle changes. You can improve your emotional and physical health for life if you implement and stick to them. Create a better relationship with your body, soul, and mind for healthier and happier living.
Hey Joyfreshers, the start of a new year is the perfect time to make some changes in your life, what are your new year’s resolutions for a healthy lifestyle? Tell your healthy resolutions in the comment below.
