New Year Goals for a Non-Toxic Year.
The New Year is the perfect time for self improvement ideas. If there’s any aspect of your life that you’d like to improve use these ideas to set some clear and attainable goals for yourself.
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What makes a realistic resolution?
- Smart
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
Make it Specific
Your resolution should be specific and have concrete steps. A bad resolution would be “lose weight. A better goal would be “eat a salad everyday” or “do a fun workout every other day”.
Take It Slow
Work towards your goal one piece at a time. Plan out your goals into smaller steps.
Using de-cluttering as an example: Set a goal of 1 room per week, or 1 drawer per day.
Follow Through With a Plan
Don’t make unrealistic goals that you can’t keep. Consider the time it takes to do a specific task, and the time you have to commit to it.
Come up with a backup plan for those bad days.
Is there a super small task you can do instead of the full task?
Any small progress towards your goal (5-10 minutes) will help keep your momentum even when you “don’t feel like it” or something unexpected comes up and you don’t have time.
Visualize the Outcome
Visualizing it makes it feel real and motivates you to continue to work hard to make it happen.
The Right Attitude
- An optimistic attitude is critical to your success.
- Find ways to make your goals fun.
- If your goal is something boring that you don’t enjoy you likely won’t have a good attitude and be able to keep it up.
10 New Years Resolution Ideas
1. Reconnect with Nature
Enjoy nature and find time to explore it. Aim at least once a week, daily if possible.
2. Volunteer to help a local organization
Go beyond just writing a check for a charity. Connect with a local organization that needs help. Your heart will be filled with joy as you help others.
Research shows that pitching in regularly can lead to less stress and lower blood pressure.
3. Exercise
Exercise helps fight stress and increases energy. It also gives you a mood boost and make you feel happier.
Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills.
Be sure to make a realistic goal. Find something that you love like walking in nature, dancing etc.
Saying you will go to the gym and then making excuses won’t work.
Get motivated with an app, a workout video or even an accountability partner.
4. Invest in a Hobby
Find hobbies that make you happy. Tap into your natural passions with a new hobby or rekindle an old one.
Explore your creative side. What do you enjoy doing? Exploring creative pursuits, will bring you joy.
Be sure to set aside a daily or weekly time slot.
A few hobby ideas:
- Painting
- Hiking
- Sewing
- Scrap Booking
5. Spend More Time with Family
Instead of watching TV or focusing on work find more time to spend with your children.
See the joy of life through their eyes. They won’t be small forever.
Reconnect with lost family members. Have you drifted apart from some of your family?
Carve out some time, and put it on your calendar then you will be more likely to stick to it.
6. Practice Gratitude Daily
What does this look like? It can be different for everyone. it can be a moment of reflection in the morning, afternoon or evening. Or it can be writing in a journal. Even sharing grateful thoughts daily at the family dinner table is a good gratitude practice.
Stay grateful. Reflect on your daily blessings and find gratitude in them.
How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain
Keep a family gratitude jar or do a daily “act of kindness” for someone else.
7. Drink More Water
We all know that we should drink more water right? Make it a reality for yourself.
Consider doing a drink water only for 30 days challenge.
Get a water bottle, keep track of how many bottles you drink in a day.
If you hate water try fruit infused water.
Which is better : Bottled Water vs Tap Water
Upgrade Your Hydration Game: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Nontoxic Water Bottles
8. Do a Veggie Challenge
The goal of a veggie challenge is obviously to eat more vegetables. Here are some ideas:
- Try to eat 2 different vegetables with every meal (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Instead of the same old boring salad – find some new toppings that inspire your taste buds.
- Snack on fresh veggies (get creative with some yummy dips or different preparations)
- Get inspired with new recipes
- Go to the farmers market or the produce section and find a new vegetable to try.
6 Worthwhile Reasons to Avoid Junk Food
8 Secrets to Healthy Eating
9. Eat Lunch Away From Your Desk
Mindlessly wolfing down your lunch while staring at the computer screen does not help you digest well.
It also doesn’t give you the opportunity to take a mental break and disengage for a little bit. We need a break in the middle of the day. A chance to reset.
You may think you are being “productive” but a mental break can often make you even more productive afterwards.
Looking for healthier lunch ideas? Check out this super simple guide to clean eating.
10. Don’t scroll in the morning
Do you automatically reach for your phone in the morning as soon as you wake up? Do you start checking emails and then endlessly scrolling social media or the news?
Instead get out of bed without swiping open your phone, and start getting ready for the day. Take a moment to do some reflection, some reading, mediating or just listen to the news or a meditation app while enjoying breakfast or coffee.
I guarantee it will change your day and make you more productive.
Tips
- Do it with a partner or do a challenge with friends.
- Make a visual reminder. Print a month calendar and cross off each day with a big X when you accomplish your daily goal.
- Many of these revolutions will bring you more joy in your life and you will be motivated to continue as it makes you feel good.
- Don’t try to do all these things! Pick one or possibly two things. After you feel like you have mastered the habit, you can try a new one. The goal is slow and sustainable not overwhelm.
Final Thoughts On New Years Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions can be a powerful way to alter the direction of your entire year. They can also transform your life, and even detox from bad habits. Pick a few of these resolutions that resonate with you and enjoy the happy life you deserve!
10 New Years Resolutions for a Better Year.
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Outstanding New Year Resolution Ideas!