It’s almost time to set your goals for the New Year. Have a fresh start to better, healthier living.
Setting goals isn’t hard, but after a few months it can be difficult to keep up with the goals you made in January. Don’t worry — HealthFirst Delaware has achievable New Year’s resolutions you can make to live a healthier lifestyle in 2019.
Set short-term goals
Why is it so tough to maintain resolutions? The biggest challenge is turning your goals into immediate action, then keeping up with them. “It’s easy to change your attitude but difficult to change your behavior,” according to Christine Whelan, Ph.D., clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“It’s easier to make a plan to go running three times this week than vow to run three times a week indefinitely,” Whelan said. “If you make your fitness goals week by week rather than so far-reaching, you’ll have more success, and that in itself is motivating.”
So, to start 2019, set manageable goals.
Drink more water and less caffeine
Staying hydrated sounds simple, right? But most of us don’t drink the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses per day. Staying hydrated can have significant positive effects on your overall health, from more energy and better skin to increased productivity at work.
This is a great, simple goal for you to make in 2019, especially with the holiday season. You can ask for a new, reusable water bottle or water filter as a gift to motivate you to drink more water on a regular basis. You can even make a do-it-yourself motivational water bottle to help you achieve this goal.
Watch less TV; read more
The average person spends a lot of time in front of the TV, time that could be better spent reading a book. Over the holiday season, strive to cut down your time streaming Netflix and Hulu, and add more time to read.
Books are an excellent way to gain knowledge on a huge variety of topics, and reading is great exercise for your brain. Reading has been shown to reduce stress levels, alleviate anxiety and depression, preserve brain health and lower the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Adding reading to your New Year’s resolutions will add many great health benefits to your life.
Get more quality sleep
With big TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets, and all sorts of gadgets with glowing lights and beeping alerts, it can be hard to get enough sleep. According to The National Sleep Foundation, adults, on average, should have about seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
One way to get better sleep is unplugging from the screens. Avoid bright screens within one to two hours of your bedtime, according to HealthGuide.org. Your brain secretes more melatonin when it’s dark — making you sleepy — and less when it’s light — making you more alert.
Do a kitchen cleanse
Toss unhealthy products such as chips, sugary granolas, and sodas from your pantry, refrigerator, car, and office, advises . Clear out the junk food, and restock with healthy options, such as carrots, fresh juice, and air-popped popcorn. With junk food out of sight, you can achieve the goal of healthier eating.
As you plan for the New Year, setting small, simple goals like these can kick-start a healthier lifestyle for you in 2019.
