Health x Wellness

15 Resolutions For The New Year

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As we draw closer to the beginning of 2015, kick off your New Year with these 15 resolutions!

1. Make small changes to reach your fitness goals

Tiny changes can go a long way especially when it comes to your health. Simple steps like taking the stairs instead of the elevator although insignificant can add up if you attempt it on a daily basis. As for workouts, you can also make incremental changes by increasing the number of reps for strength conditioning exercises or distance when jogging.

2. Pick up something new and challenging

Be it a new language, skill or hobby, challenge yourself this New Year and pick up something you didn’t think you could learn before. Take up gardening in your free time, play the piano or enrol in French language classes, the options are endless! Enrich yourself with these wholesome activities and you can even make some new friends along the way.

3. Participate in a race

Many times we avoid signing up for marathons because we think they’re only for the ‘fitness junkies’. Start small with a 10km run and you’ll be surprised how much it could motivate you to train for it. Grab your friends and family along to join you and you’ll soon realise you don’t have to be a ‘fitness junkie’ to enjoy the experience of participating in a race.

4. Clear up your clutter

Make it a point to clear out the clutter that accumulates around the house every once a week. Take some time to get rid of things that you no longer need and organise your space along the way. Invest in tools that help you stay organised – a magazine holder, a closet organiser or simply a book shelf and save yourself a whole lot of time looking for things when you need them.

5. Pay off your credit cards and stay debt-free

Aim to manage your finances better this coming year and spend only within your means. Time to cut down on the impulse buys if you realise you don’t actually need half the stuff you think you do. Create budget spreadsheets to monitor and keep track of your monthly expenditure and ditch the unnecessary cards to avoid going overboard with your expenses.

6. Spend more time with your family

Take some time off your busy schedule every week to be with your family and keep all other distractions away. Designate a family dinner night that everyone must attend or free up your weekends for family outings. You’ll realise how rewarding the time spent with your family can be with the emotional support you can receive from one another.

7. Read a new book every month

Reading is to your mind what exercise is to your body. Do some quiet reading at a cosy café in your free time to stimulate your mind that can help take some stress off you. You’ll be amazed how reading can improve your memory and concentration.

8. Prepare your own meals

Save money and hone your cooking skills by making your own lunch. Stay on track with your fitness goals at the same time as you control what goes into your food.

9. Get more sleep

We all know how getting a good night’s sleep can do wonders to your health and appearance. Besides combating dark eye circles and boosting alertness, getting adequate sleep can improve memory and reduce risk of inflammation. Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep every night and learn not to beat yourself too hard the next time you take a longer nap than usual.

10. Travel more

If you’re a retiree and you’ve got more free time in your hands, the best way to spend it is to travel. Plan spontaneous getaways to exotic places with your loved ones and experience different cultures and ways of life. Besides the opportunity of bonding with your loved ones, travelling leaves you feeling rejuvenated and replenished.

11. Cut down on sugared beverages

Drop all that sugary drinks and replace them with healthier alternatives to keep yourself hydrated instead. Water is always the best option to stay hydrated but you can always jazz things up a little with fruit-infused water or fruit teas.

12. Use your smartphone less often

Sometimes, we get so reliant and hooked on our smartphones, we spend less time engaging with people face to face. Give your text messages and app notifications a rest every now and then and engage in more real and meaningful conversations with others.

13. Go out for regular walks

Instead of cooping yourself indoors all the time, enjoy some fresh air and appreciate nature by heading out for a stroll at a nearby park. Going on regular strolls keeps your mind refreshed, which is a great way to de-stress.

14. Play mind-stimulating games

If you’ve never really been into playing games, it’s a good time to start this coming New Year. Who said games are merely child’s play? Games like Sudoku or word games can sharpen your cognitive abilities, improve your brain health and stave off dementia.

15. Pamper yourself

Last of all, there is no crime in pampering yourself every once in a while. Treat yourself to a day at the spa, or a relaxing massage after a long day at work, or simply indulge in your favourite food just because you can! Loving yourself is a great way to unwind and can be rejuvenating for both the mind and the soul, as long as you don’t go overboard, remember moderation is key!

 

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