Almost everyone is currently looking forward to next year for the possibilities of change, but the best thing we can do is try to work on ourselves in order to see changes around us. Here, we’ve compiled some ideas for ways to accomplish goals in the upcoming new year.
1. Learn a new hobby
One of the best ways to reset and start fresh is to have a fun new activity to look forward to and work towards becoming better at. Not all our goals have to be work based, and it can be extremely fulfilling and joyful to fall in love with a new hobby. Some ideas include hiking, running, knitting, painting, pottery, archery, cycling, horseback riding, writing, reading, playing a sport, cooking, chess, photography, collecting, surfing, skating of all kinds, and dancing. Many of these are active and can help contribute to physical/exercise goals in a fun way that breaks up the boring gym routine. The rest are enriching to the brain or body in other ways.
2. Practice mindfulness
Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are all ways to practice mindfulness to attain a sense of balance, peacefulness, and overall happiness. This is evidently a great way to improve mood and overall mental health. Mindfulness refers to a sense of self awareness and being present in the moment, recognizing thoughts and feelings in a kind and accepting way.
Meditation should be practiced in a quiet and comfortable environment where you can take a step back from the normal chaos of the brain, quieting the mind by narrowing focus to your breathing. Controlled breathing can effectively counteract anxiety; being conscious of your breath, monitoring it calmly and mindfully can slow down heart rate and facilitate a calmer state in which you can practice mindfulness and self discovery. Yoga further connects the mind’s wellbeing to the body’s, relieving stress and pain and providing countless physical benefits.
One of the best ways to boost these practices are essential oils and natural extracts that help clear the mind of negativity and clutter and focus on what matters. Lavender is the most well known natural relaxer, other oils people love to relax include Bergamot, Peppermint, Rose Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Cedar, and Lemon.
3. Nourish your body
Each year people have a renewed interest in improving their diets, but it’s always difficult to stick to eating healthy. One simple step is cutting out processed foods, or if there’s anything that you may have an intolerance to that you tend to ignore, like gluten, lactose, etc. Some of the most recommended foods in a healthy diet include eggs, leafy greens and other fresh veggies, lean chicken and beef, salmon and tuna, and beans and other legumes.
Keto has been rising to prominence as a diet choice, a low carb diet meant to put the body in a state of ketosis to burn fat, lose weight, and improve overall health. However many participants find it very hard to make the transition and stick with the diet for long enough to achieve results. With supplements, this can be remedied. LUVV’s ketone drops and capsules can get the body through the body’s difficult changes as it adapts to less carbs, boosting energy and curbing cravings for a much higher chance of achieving the results you want with a Keto resolution.
4. Establish a healthy sleep schedule
Sleep quality can totally transform your life for better or for worse, and a majority of people aren’t getting as good of sleep as they’d like. It’s very beneficial to have a set time when you go to bed and wake up each day and stick to it as much as possible, an unhealthy sleep-wake cycle can have a variety of negative effects on the body. Thankfully it’s easier than ever these days, you can even use the clock app in the iPhone to set these bed and wake alarms.
Many have started using melatonin to help facilitate sleep when needed, regulating the body’s circadian rhythm, working with your biological clock to tell your brain when it’s bedtime and lull you into a peaceful night.
5. Cut out coffee
Most people start off each day with a cup of coffee, and even depend on it to be able to do anything. However too much caffeine can be harmful. Coffee can cause heartburn through increased acidity that is also bad for the stomach, and can cause dehydration. Caffeine can increase anxiety and the stress hormone cortisol, and can also negatively impact sleep, causing insomnia and restlessness.
6. Quit smoking
It goes without saying that smoking is bad for your health, body and mind. Hence why it’s unfortunate that this is one of the hardest habits to beat, and one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. Something that could be helpful to quitting this harmful addiction is replacing the cigarette or vaping device with a vaporizer that provides the feeling of smoking without the carcinogens and addictive nicotine.
