New Year’s Resolution: A Healthier 2017

Whenever a new year comes around, people around the world set these great resolutions that look nice on paper but are often short lived. Striving to become a better version of yourself is always a great idea –the wrong is in the execution.

Think about it. How many of us really stay committed to this plan? We set promises that we want to achieve in a short period of time –much of which aren’t realistic. We usually go a good few weeks or even a couple months and then we quit. What’s the reason?

Maybe it’s because we’ve taken on too much of a change.

Instead of flipping your entire life upside down, challenge yourself to make simple lifestyle changes. Start off slow and then work your way up. Here’s our advice on how you can make attainable new year’s resolutions.

Eat Better

This doesn’t require you to make massively strict diet plans. Make small healthier choices. Add vegetables to your meals. Go grilled instead of fried. Put smaller portions on your plate. What you eat has an effect on your body and you should always be mindful of that.

We all know eating poorly can cause obesity but what a lot of people don’t know is that it can also cause heart disease, diabetes, and influence certain types of cancers.

Try to Get More Sleep

Sleep plays a major role in the way your body functions. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours a sleep per day to function at an optimal level. Not getting enough sleep can affect the way you perform in everyday tasks like driving a car and working on the job. It can even increase the risk of certain health issues such as: obesity, diabetes, heart disease.

To improve the way you sleep in 2017, start practicing better sleep habits. For one, put the phone (or whatever mobile device you use) down. Over the past few years, lack of sleep has been linked to the use of electronic devices around bedtime. Create yourself a sleep environment that will make you fall into a long, uninterrupted sleep. The ideal temperature for the best sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees in a room without noise or bright lights.

Get Up, Get Out and Exercise

The obvious reasons for exercise is weight loss but it’s also been shown to improve brain function. Researchers at Harvard Medical School even link endurance exercise to growth in learning and memory which can one day slow the progression of brain diseases.

If you’re not used to working out, start off slow. Working out can be a walk in the park (we mean that literally, exercising can be as simple as taking a walk in the park). After getting into the rhythm of walking, a walk may turn into a jog and in no time you’ll be running. Join a local gym and sign up for a fitness class. You don’t have to be in this alone, find a partner. With consistency you’ll begin to notice your mind and body functioning differently –all from simple lifestyle changes.

Find Peace of Mind

To optimize cognitive functions, practice mindfulness. Focus on the things that you can control and try not to stress about the things you can’t.

Different practices will work better for different people. Take a stroll outdoors, there are studies that show that nature can reduce stress. If you’re not an outdoors person join a yoga class, practice a few meditation techniques, or listen to calming music for a while to ease your mind.

A New Year’s resolution doesn’t mean that you have to make huge changes all at once. Start off by making small lifestyle changes, gain consistency on those and work your way from there. Your future self will thank you.