New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

If you’re keen to make big changes, but find that sticking to them and realizing your goals is a little daunting, then this blog post is for you. It’s time to break down those grand resolutions into smaller, more achievable tasks. And don’t worry — we won’t ask you to go on a diet or learn an unfamiliar language. Instead, we’ll suggest some ways to improve your career and personal relationships, how to find a better job or secure a new opportunity, and how to improve your health and physical fitness.

Before you go into New Year’s hangover mode (okay, we’re talking about the boozing kind here), consider these resolutions that just might be easier to keep.

No matter what your resolution is this year, there are some things you can do now that will help you reach your goal. For example: Regular exercise not only improves our quality of life, it can also help us get that promotion or make the boss like us more. Reducing stress in our lives leads to fewer workplace injuries and better productivity. And embracing an organized approach to your finances can spur you to save more and spend less, which helps you reach your goals and stay on track to be debt-free.

Get Fit in this year

If you haven’t been hitting the gym lately, there are plenty of excuses right now. The holidays can be a challenge; everyone’s eating out of the house or at their friends’ houses; it’s cold outside; or kids are sick and pulling them away from the TV is a fairly strong argument for staying in bed. The truth is that many American families don’t go to the gym because they’re too busy, or they believe they shouldn’t exercise while children are home (which happens more often during this time of year). In fact, working out with the kids can be a great way to get them into the habit of exercising.

“Running, walking or riding a bike with a child who is less than 6 years old is one of life’s little luxuries. Once this habit becomes second nature, it will become easier to introduce exercise at home,” says David L. Katz, M.D.

“It is easier to be fit than to become fit,” Dr. Katz says. “But once you can get your fitness up, it stays up for a long time.” He explains that if you’re already in shape, focusing on strength training can help prevent age-related muscle losses and injuries. But if you’re starting from scratch, cardio work is a must to get in shape and achieve your resolutions . If you don’t want to join the gym, you’ll be happy to know that while exercising outdoors comes with some challenges (the weather!), many people who run outside tend to stick with their fitness routine longer than those who hit the treadmill at home.

Getting into shape doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. The key is to find a workout you enjoy and make time for it. “As long as you have a gym membership, the equipment that you need is readily available,” says Dallas-based personal trainer Adam Jarman, who also works with clients privately.

While there are lots of sites and apps (for example, RunKeeper ) that can tell you what your calorie intake should be, while it’s also possible to find a recipe online or use a fitness tracker app , the best way to get started is to look at your lifestyle and determine where you can cut back without making a big dent in your existing diet. “The biggest thing that people don’t pay attention to is portion sizes. We rarely switch to a smaller size, and so we end up eating the same amount of food,” says Jarman.

Be proactive in this year

This year, say goodbye to no-shows – or you could say hello. If you’re like many of us, your New Year’s resolution is about change, but if you’re prone to procrastination (and who isn’t?), chances are it will be once again fall off the radar. But this time around, try a technique that’s proven over and over again: Set specific goals for yourself before you begin the new year. For example, if your New Year’s resolution is to travel more, map out what are the first few steps you can take to reach your goal. Add a deadline and an accountability partner.

Treat yo self! Life can be pretty hectic and stressful these days, so it’s important to treat yourself at least once a week . Start with little things like taking yourself out for coffee or buying something that you really want, but don’t need. As you continue to make time in your day, look into things like splurging on a little retail therapy or enjoying a night out on the town. You’ll feel better and get back in the habit of being happier by treating yourself every week.

Think positive This year, commit yourself to improving your mood and outlook on life. There are many ways to do this, but the most effective approach is to start with your thoughts. Train yourself to think positively, try meditating every morning for 10 minutes or so … You might also think about all of the good things that have happened so far in your life. By using a positive mind-set, you’ll be able to see successes; once you start thinking about hardships and failures, it’ll become harder for you to succeed. Remember that when you think positive, you’ll usually act positive.

Smart health in this year

In addition to eating well and exercising regularly, treating yourself well goes a long way towards making you healthier. Whether you received a gift card for the spa or a collection of chocolates from your boss, try to enjoy yourself at least once per week. Pamper yourself and make sure that there’s time for leisure as well as work in your life. Taking care of yourself is important; it will not only help you meet your goals, but will also improve your outlook on life.

Get organized You’ve no doubt heard the expression: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Though it sounds like something from an English teacher’s handouts, it’s actually a pretty smart way to spend less time searching for things and more time being productive. Once you organize your things, you can also use your home office as an extra room in the house. By using the unused space in your home for creative purposes – such as a home office or craft area – you can create valuable work environments that boost productivity.

Research suggests that feeling good is linked to a variety of health benefits: more energy, better sleep, improved mood and sharper mental focus. There is even some evidence that taking care of yourself helps ward off diseases. When you feel good, you are more apt to get the exercise and nutrition you need for better health And when your health is good, you feel better.

People who exercise regularly have the added bonus of not only feeling great but looking great too. But what makes workouts so effective? Regular exercise increases your body’s production of endorphins – naturally produced chemicals that promote feelings of happiness and well-being. That’s the reason why many people who exercise regularly report feeling a euphoric high after their workouts. It’s like pain medication, but it works better than ibuprofen.

Embrace your inner nerd

If you love reading about science, but that isn’t enough for you, you could try your hand at creating a science experiment at home. Think of it this way: You’ll be playing with science, and as a bonus, you’ll be one step closer to being an expert on the topic. There are plenty of ways to get started – do some research online or learn from popular bloggers and YouTube personalities. Just make sure you do your homework before trying something new. You don’t want to start a science experiment that could possibly hurt you, or worse.

Sometimes, it’s not just allowing your inner nerd to take over – it’s actively embracing the nerds in your life. This year, embrace all of your nerdy interests and hobbies, from going on a quest for rare trading cards to hosting a Mario Kart tournament. Some of those nerdy characters and cartoons are great for sparking some inspiration for new adventures of all kinds.

If you love playing tennis, then you might want to consider some tips for improving your game. You can use tennis drills to improve your game, and take the time to practice hitting shots. These drills will make it easier for you to hit powerful strokes, since you’ll know exactly what muscle groups are required in order to hit a great shot.

Hobby and passion is something that’s able to bring great meaning into someone’s life. If you’re an avid hiker or animal lover, then make sure your passion is explored this year. Explore opportunities that are available by volunteering with animals or learning about the environment . But don’t forget to still make time for yourself, too.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Every time you open your mouth and speak, you are impacting people in the world. You have the power to make a difference in those people’s lives. Help them find happiness, and help make their lives better.

If you’re active on social media, take this opportunity to try out some intense accountability programs. You’ll be able to reach out to people who need support, or who have been holding themselves back because they aren’t sure they could follow through on a certain goal or commitment. This year, embrace your passion for social media and use it for positive purposes – it’s an awesome way to reach others and push for self-improvement.

Spend more time with friends and family

The more you nurture your relationships, the stronger they will become. Already have close relationships? Then make some time to do something special. Have a picnic in your backyard, go on a hike or host a party. Just make sure that at least one day of the week is reserved for spending time with friends and family members.

Add more rituals to your life Rituals are good for us – they help build new habits by making change something that’s easy to stick to. In fact, one study suggests that following through with habit-building rituals can help you feel less stressed and even improve your memory. If you want to learn how to build good habits, start small. Whether it’s a morning routine or a way to practice self-care, build your habit by making it something that happens regularly.

As the new year comes around, give yourself permission to say no more often. Though saying no can be difficult, it will likely make you more productive and help take some pressure off of your shoulders. If you’re worried about being seen as a bad person for saying no, just keep in mind that not everyone needs you – and that’s okay. You don’t need to accept every event invitation or take on every project. As long as you’re doing your best to be the best version of yourself, it’s okay to say no.

Pamper yourself

Pampering yourself will make you feel good – even if it’s just spending some time with family and friends. Give yourself a chance to take a mental break and relax, or try something new to see if you like it. Some of these activities may even help reduce stress in your life and have other positive effects on your health. You might also want to use this as an opportunity to get some practice doing something new and different, whether that is cooking a healthier meal or getting more active.

Whether you decide to choose one of these suggestions, or pick your own way to celebrate, just make sure that you are happy and healthy this year. Doing something special for yourself every once in a while will help you feel happier and more encouraged. And that’s exactly what the new year is all about.

Now it’s your turn: What are some things that you’re doing for yourself this year? Let us know in the comments below!

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