It seems like every year millions of people make the resolution to be healthier in the new year. However, many of these people fail to see the progress they are looking for because they do not have a solid plan in place. If you truly want to become healthier, it is likely going to take more than going for the occasional walk or having a salad from time to time. While these are a good start, living a truly healthy lifestyle is about so much more. If you want to make sure 2017 is a healthy year, here are 7 ways that you can do so.
Exercise More
The first thing that comes to mind when people dream of a healthier year is getting more exercise. The key to this is finding something you enjoy doing, and then making a habit out of it. If you like going to the gym, that’s great, just be sure to do it every day. For those of you that don’t want to go to the gym, try going for a run every morning. Or purchasing some workout DVDs and doing some things in your living room. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, as long as you do it consistently.
Eat Healthier
The next thing people think of is eating healthier. This is also a great place to start, as our diet plays a large part in both our physical health and our mental health. Too many people go overboard with their diets, and try to cut out too much at once. Before long the diet is too demanding, our resolve weakens, and we are back to where we started. A better plan is to examine your own eating habits, and look for a few ways that you can scale back. Here are some other helpful tips to starting a new diet that you may find useful.
Meditate
Now that you’ve taken care of your body, it’s time to start taking care of your mind. When it comes to getting healthier, too many people focus solely on their physical health, and forget to take care of their mental health. A great practice to get into is meditation. A daily meditation habit can do wonders for your stress levels, and even improve your outlook on life. You only have to spend a few quiet minutes a day to start, and a meditation habit can be done from almost anywhere, as long as you have the time to yourself. You can find more information on starting a meditation habit here.
Start Hobbies
One key to a healthier lifestyle is improving your mood. If you are in a good mood, you are more likely to do other things that will make you healthier, such as eating right and exercising. A great way to improve your daily mood is by incorporating some new hobbies. Look for some things that you have always been interested in, and find some time on the weekends to give them a try. Perhaps you want to start bird watching, scrap booking, or even just reading more. Whatever it is, schedule in some time to do something new this year.
Schedule Time Off
A problem for many of us is that we work too hard. Our jobs become our entire lives, and this not only increases our stress levels, but leaves us less time to do other, healthier alternatives. While your job is important – as is the paycheck that comes with it – it is still essential that you schedule some vacation time. Take a day off here and there to relax, recharge, and enjoy yourself.
Learn Something New
When was the last time you tried to learn something new? Took a class or picked up a new musical instrument? As we get older, the time we devote to learning something new dwindles, and our mind suffers as a result. Our brains crave knowledge, and by trying to learn something new in the upcoming year, you can make sure that your brain is happy.
Get Enough Sleep
Lastly, you won’t have the energy to do everything mentioned above if you are not getting enough sleep. For 2017, try and make it a habit to go to bed at the same time every night, and to get the recommended amount of sleep. Having a well rested body will allow you to do everything else you want to do, and make you happier as a result.
Combine It All Together
The key to a healthy year is using the mind and body together. If you just focus on one area, you are doing yourself a disservice, and not being your healthiest self. Try to incorporate as many of the above items as you can into your daily routine this upcoming year, and it won’t be long before you notice the changes in your physical health, your mood, and your mindset.
Have you got any goals for the coming year? It will be here before we know it – eeek!
Some great tips. I am also one of those people who makes resolutions to be healthier, 2017 will be no different I’m sure. Was considering trying meditation. Thanks for sharing your tips.