Read about my top health goals that you can make to replace your new years resolutions, so you can promote health and wellness lifelong.
Often new year resolutions are made with the hope of a better year. We set unattainable resolutions that we forget by the end of the year. We keep it up for a few weeks, maybe a few months, and then what are we left with. A few more months pass by and we repeat the process again.
Instead of focusing on big resolutions, I am proposing making small health goals within your daily life. These are small and attainable goals centered around achieving health and wellness.
For example, instead of making a resolution to loose 20 pounds, make a resolution to eat more whole and unprocessed foods. This process will likely help you shed a few pounds, but also improve the health and functioning of your body.
Consider these health goals that you can make for yourself this coming New Years.
1. INCORPORATE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS
Giving yourself positive affirmations throughout the day significantly impacts your outlook on life. It can help you feel happier, more successful, and beautiful in your own skin. Using uplifting language is the first start toward health to help put your words into action. Consider starting your day with one positive affirmation.
Some positive affirmations include:
- I give myself the care and attention that I deserve.
- I love and approve of myself.
- I put my energy into things that matter to me.
- I trust in my body to heal.
- I appreciate and love my body.
2. EAT REAL, WHOLE FOODS
Eating real whole foods is one of the most influential changes that you can make this year that will have lasting effects on your health. Whole foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, meat, fish, and eggs.
These foods are foundational to a healthy diet and should be the focus of your diet. Remember when shopping for foods, focus on whole ingredients instead of snacks and meals with complex ingredient labels.
3. PRACTICE SELF CARE
Often self care is put aside until we have time. I highly recommend trashing this belief and find ways to incorporate self care into your daily routine. Find what speaks to you and focus on one or two activities a week. It can be as small as 5 minutes!
Some ideas include taking a bath, getting a massage, giving yourself an at home face mask, painting your nails, doing yoga, taking a walk, having a cup of tea, spending time with your dog/cat/children, doing a craft or dancing to music.
4. MOVE YOUR BODY MORE
It is no surprise that most of us are sitting, a lot. Especially with most people working from home, at their computers. Making a resolution to move more does not mean you have to go on a 60 minute run every day. Making small changes will be so important to simply get your blood flowing again.
Some recommendations include walking up and down the stairs for a few minutes, taking a walk during lunch, or hoola-hooping for a few minutes. Feel free to get creative and move how best fits your body.
5. LIMIT YOUR SCREEN TIME
We’ve all been a victim of too much screen time, especially after the year we had. Screens become our go-to to numb ourselves from the day we had or fill our time up when we are bored. I give you permission to stop this process. Screens do not have to rule your day.
Since a lot of us cannot change the fact that we are working on a computer, we can change the other times we use screens. For example, try sticking your phone in a drawer for a few hours a day so that you aren’t tempted by social media or checking your emails. Read a book or listen to an audio book instead of watching tv.
Give your eyes and your brain, a break from screen time. Your body will thank you.
6. INCORPORATE HAPPINESS INTO YOUR DAY
Health and happiness often go hand in hand. Focusing on having a healthy life also means that you have to focus on your happiness. This means striving to incorporate happiness in your day, EVERY DAY.
I often find that if I start my day focusing on being happy when I wake up, I am more likely to feel happy throughout the day. Surround yourself with things that make you feel happy, such as flowers, soft textures, or wear your favorite clothing (even if it means you wear that one shirt three times a week!).
Don’t forget about the people around you. If the people around you are extremely toxic and full of negative energy, you are likely not going to feel your happiest self.
7. REMOVE HOUSEHOLD TOXINS
In case you were not aware, your house is full of toxins that could be inhibiting your health and wellbeing. This includes your beauty and personal care products, household cleaning products, and laundry detergent.
Making it a goal to replace all of your household products with cleaner, more healthy options will have profound influences on the health of you and your family. Remember that this does not have to be done all at once. When you finish using a product, take some time to do some research on cleaner products and replace it then. Check out the environmental working group’s guide to healthy cleaning or skin deep cosmetic database to find better options for your home and personal products.
8. VISIT A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR
What better way to focus on your health than seeing a naturopathic doctor! A naturopathic doctor can help you on your health journey, so you can feel your best in the years to come. We can work with you to explore underlying causes to your health problems, run comprehensive lab work, and offer you natural treatment options. If you are interested in working with me, visit my new patient page.
Conclusions
I hope this provided you with several health goals to replace your new years resolutions this year. I wish everyone a Happy New Years and a Happy 2021. Cheers!
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