Happy 2019! Many of us look to the new year as a clean slate, a fresh start to health commitments and new year resolutions. Which is great! We all want to feel our best, inside and out. Taking the time to implement new goals is the first step to a great year – however the most important part of this is to take the time to learn new healthy habits.
It can take more than 2 months for a new habit to become an automatic behavior – and often these resolutions fizzle out within the first month. Although inspiring, most resolutions take an all-or-nothing approach – and it is a lot easier to choose the nothing.
Instead, when making goals, it is much more constructive to take a step-by-step approach, and to not be too hard on yourself! Committing to small, simple, and sustainable health changes over time are what lead us to achieve and maintain our health goals, creating a vibrant lifestyle that lasts. Here are some tips and some easy health goals to implement into your daily life!
1. Create a POSITIVE vision of what your life will be like. A vision allows us to see the bigger picture and paints a mental image of what the future will look like. This can give us direction when things get tough and we are faced with choices to make. It also allows us to focus on the positive aspects of making these decisions, such as how it will make you feel in the long run
2. Eat those vegetables! Changing up dietary habits is one of the most common goals for the new year. Instead of restricting what you can eat – start first by adding! Reach for some fruit or vegetables before a treat, or add a smoothie to your daily routine. This way you won’t feel like you’re missing out, and you’re still giving your body important nutrients.
3. Actually drink more water – everyone always says they don’t drink as much water as they should, so now is the time to do something about it. Buy yourself a nice new water bottle to carry around, set a timer that reminds you to drink – they even have apps now to help you hydrate.
4. Move – same as above – it may not be realistic to go out and get a gym membership, but it is easy to set a timer for yourself to remind you to take a quick walk every hour, or do 20 squats. If you’re at work or school, inspire those around you and get them involved!
5. Breathe – this is important. Society today is incredibly stressed out, constantly on edge. Being in this state is very harmful to our health, thankfully we can switch to a more relaxed mode by simply taking time to breathe. Try this 5 second breathing technique: Inhale through your nose for a count of 5 seconds. Hold for 5 seconds. Exhale through your nose for a count of 5 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times. You can do this anywhere: at your desk, in your car, before a meeting or presentation. I especially recommend doing this before eating.
6. Ask for help – let your family and friends know that you are working towards these goals, and ask them for their support and help. They will probably want to join you! If you feel overwhelmed or want guidance, asking for help from a professional can make all of the difference.
Remember - reaching optimal health is a journey that is achieved by trial and error, and everyone has their own individual way of getting there. What works for someone else may be entirely wrong for you. Set goals, stay motivated, and try to be as consistent as possible. It doesn’t matter if you fall, the focus is on getting back up.
If you need more support creating, implementing, or sticking to your healthy habits OR achieving the results you’d like, consider booking a consultation with a healthcare professional, such as a Naturopathic Doctor for more guidance.
Click below to book an appointment, or to find out more about what you can do!