People are starting to think about their New Year’s resolutions now that the holiday season is over. However, many people’s day-to-day lives have changed dramatically in the last several years. Rather than encourage New Year’s resolutions, which are typically broken anyhow, we have compiled a list of health suggestions to help you maintain a positive mindset and stress-free lifestyle throughout the year. You simply need to promise yourself that you’ll put out your best effort and be there for yourself whenever you’re able.
Calm down
An APA survey found that individuals, on average, had a stress level of 5.6 on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Our numerous systems might suffer when stress levels are high. This year, make an effort to reduce the stress in your life with gradual lifestyle adjustments including going for regular walks, practicing meditation, cutting down on coffee, getting more exercise, and (most importantly) eliminating added sugar from your diet. If you want to have better sleep, reduce stress, and lose weight, all you need to do is walk fast for 30 minutes a day.
Drop the diet
You don’t need to go on a diet this year if you just make an effort to eat more whole foods, fruits, and veggies. Instead of trying to force yourself into an unhealthy New Year’s resolution diet, try eating the things you normally would and supplementing them with something healthy to make them more filling and nutritious.
Cut down on the sugar you eat
It’s common knowledge that sugar causes obesity, diabetes, acne, and even heart disease. These sugars are often hidden in foods like bottled drinks, canned soups and sauces. If a product has more sugar than The American Heart Association recommends, choose a healthier alternative (6 teaspoons). If you have a sweet tooth but don’t want to give up your favorite treats, you may find several sugar-free alternatives.
We encourage you to wander
Find some time to get your body moving in a manner that brings you joy. It’s not necessary to get off the sofa and sign up for a gym membership in order to fit in with the New Year’s Resolution crowd. While regular exercise is recommended as a means to maintain physical health, this year we recommend that you focus more on finding a kind of physical activity that you really like doing. Try a gentle jog, a yoga session, or a trek, if the weather is on your side. You may learn something new by watching a video online, doing some mild exercise, or even having a dance party with your loved ones in the living room. Find something you like doing and use it as an opportunity to appreciate what your body is capable of.
Be just a little bit cheeky
Resolve to grin more often. Seize the moment and revel in the little pleasures of life. If you need to lighten up, put on a comedy or search YouTube for cat or puppy videos. Because life is continuous and sometimes stressful, it’s important to take a break and do something that makes you happy every once in a while. And if you still need convincing, consider that the advantages of a grin have been scientifically supported by scientists. Neuropeptides assist the brain combat stress when you smile. Try putting on a grin and seeing how you react to it.