With the new year approaching, many people are thinking about their goals. Everyone wants something different out of the new year, so many people find it beneficial to write out their resolutions. Health-related goals and resolutions are common enough, but what constitutes “healthy” is different for everyone. While one person sets goals that improve their physical health, someone else may have goals that relate more to mental health. To help you sort out your own goals for 2021 and keep you inspired, we’ve put together a few New Year’s resolutions to improve your health.
Get Active
Getting active is among the most popular New Year’s resolutions to improve your health. You can still get outside in the winter. Walks have been a popular pastime this year to get people out of their homes, the new year will inspire many more to incorporate regular activity into their daily life. The Monadnock region has great trails, and most of them are still open in the winter! Click here to learn more about why hiking during the winter in the Monadnock region is an exhilarating experience and worth the risk. And find some great hikes on this page. Skiing is also a great choice, for someone living in New England. The Monadnock region has some great small ski areas and trails dedicated to cross country and downhill skiing. Here’s our list!
But we know not everyone loves the snow, even in New England and in 2020, we all spent most of our time inside. Getting motivated to work out is difficult, especially when many fitness clubs are closed due to the pandemic. One way to motivate yourself is to put together an at-home fitness routine. Having a steady routine can get you into a consistent schedule and keep your motivation up.
Get More Sleep
Many Americans do not get enough sleep. Whether it results from stress or screen-time, falling asleep at a reasonable hour can be difficult. You can take several steps to get more sleep, but usually, this issue stems from the multiple distractions around us. Turning your phone off before bed can help because the blue light its screen emits stimulates and wakes up the brain. Looking at your phone before bed can also cause stress, so turning it off or putting it in a different room can help you fall asleep faster. Avoiding caffeine in the evening can also be helpful. Lack of sleep causes many health problems, so getting enough sleep is a worthy resolution.
Practice Gratitude
The year 2020 brought various challenges, and as such, many people are starting to focus on improving their mental health as a result. Practicing gratitude is always a good habit because it reminds you of the good things happening. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges this year brought, but practicing gratitude prevents us from focusing only on the negatives. Journaling daily is one way to practice gratitude, so consider incorporating that activity into your day if mental health is one of your priorities for the New Year.
Incorporate Self-Care
Lastly, incorporating self-care into your routine can boost both mental and physical health. Self-care does not always mean taking a candlelit bath. You could visit any of the Monadnock region’s local health and wellbeing providers. Sometimes, self-care is making yourself a nourishing meal or taking a walk around your favorite park, or taking in a live or live-streamed concert or creative workshop. Making self-care part of your New Year’s resolution is beneficial because making time for yourself is just as important as making time for others. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain done with 2020, this is a fantastic resolution to add to your list.
