Planning and achieving New Year’s resolutions can be stressful and intimidating, leaving you feeling worse. It doesn’t have to be this way! There are so many practical New Year’s resolution ideas that don’t have to cause stress and are easily attainable. When we think of resolutions, most of us think of weight loss, eating healthy, going to the gym, or getting out of debt. These are great resolution ideas, but for some people may be difficult to conquer because they are so broad. Pinpoint your goals and specify your resolutions. Listed below are resolution ideas that may seem small, but create great habits for change. Telling yourself that you will consume 8 glasses of water a day is a lot more achievable than telling yourself, “I want to drink more water”. Starting small will give you the confidence to invest in more challenging goals for yourself! Listed below are resolution ideas that may seem small, but create great habits for change.
Go on a walk
The general goal is to aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day. If you haven’t been exercising regularly it is ok to start slow (maybe 5 minutes a day) and then work your way up to 30 minutes. Walking does not only aid in your physical health, but also mentally.
Up your water intake
Your body depends on water to survive. There are many factors that play into how much water one should drink daily. Set a water goal that applies to your lifestyle to help increase your daily water intake. Another option is to purchase a water bottle that keeps track of your water intake for you!
Invest in yourself
Our lives can be overwhelming with work, school, kids, and extra-curricular activities. It’s so important for our mental health to take time for ourselves. Meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, or trying a new activity are all great options for spending time with yourself. When we are our best, we can give our best self to others. It’s important!
Achieve a routine
Routines allow our minds to rest when we engage in the same activities each day at similar times. Studies are proven that routines result in strong sleeping schedules and make people less anxious. Listed below are eight simple starting places to create positive change:
- Create a routine that works for YOU
- Start small
- Add to your existing habits
- Make swaps
- Plan ahead
- Make time for things you enjoy
- Reward yourself for small victories
- Give yourself grace for missing a day
Behaviors average 66 days before becoming a habit, so stick with it!
If your resolutions for 2021 are to prioritize your health, Iowa Ortho is here to help you on your journey. We are one of the only places in the metro that offers the Body Composition DXA scan, which accurately determines your body’s fat, muscle, and bone density distribution. Medical professionals can even take your results and predict if you are prone to certain diseases based on your body composition. Use the link provided to request an appointment and use the DXA scan. Let’s make 2021 our best year yet!
Resouces:
Mayo Clinc- Healthy Eating and Water Intake