10 Ways to Start a Healthy New Year

We all want to try and start the new year on the right foot. That usually means we want to be as healthy as possible. There are many different ways to start a healthy new year. But it will all boil down to how big you want the changes to be. You could simply aim to drink less soda this year and that would be great. But you could also make bigger changes that will make a bigger impact. Of course, bigger changes mean bigger challenges but you are not alone and sometimes, that’s enough motivation. 

Make some big and small changes with these tried and true ways to start a healthy new year and reach your goals!

There are many different ways to start a healthy new year. But the important thing is that you stick to the changes you make. That is where most people fall behind. It is not that people are picking the wrong things to change or do. Instead, people are picking the right ones but approaching them the wrong way. For example, many people say they will go to the gym more often. Gyms become packed during the first few weeks of the year. But then, they start to empty and people stop going. They all had the right idea but maybe they picked the wrong workout routine, hit the gym too hard, or made the goal unrealistic in some way. You don’t have to fall into that circle, you could do better, be better, become even better. 

Ways to Start a Healthy New Year | Set Layers

We are a society of instant gratification. We quit or move onto something else when we don’t see results within a set amount of time. However, this is a new year’s resolution, which means you have the entire year to reach it. Set layers of goals instead of one big goal. For example, say you want to lose weight throughout the new year. You shouldn’t make the weight loss goal, instead, make the steps the goals. The goals could be to lose a set amount of weight by March and then more by June. You could even make smaller goals like eating less of this or eating more of that. The options are endless. Here are smaller ways to start a healthy new year. 

Stretch More

Stretching is very important, it gets your blood pumping, ease pain, and improve your flexibility. Practice stretching exercises every morning. All you need to do is hold a few positions for 45 seconds each. You could get your entire stretching routine done within 5 minutes or less. Challenge yourself to do it daily for 30 days and soon, it will be a natural thing you do every morning. 

Ways to Start a Healthy New Year | Colorful Diets

Eating fruits and veggies is never a bad idea. In fact, there are some extreme diet plans out there that ask you to eat nothing but veggies for an entire week. You don’t have to go to that extreme, just add more color into your diet. Every meal should have at least one colorful item like a fruit or veggie. This is one of the easiest ways to start a healthy new year. You can even make it a challenge by making sure you never eat the same fruit or veggie twice in one week.

Snacking

There is nothing wrong with snacking. The healthiest people on the planet snack. The problem often arises when people choose the wrong snack. Aim to eat nothing but healthy snacks when you do snack. This could tie in with the challenge above. Fruits, veggies, and nuts make great snacks. 

Ways to Start a Healthy New Year | Move More

Exercise is very important but you don’t have to hit the gym and become a bodybuilder to live a healthy lifestyle. Instead, one of the best ways to start a healthy new year is to just move more. This tip is easier than you may think. You can walk to the nearby store instead of drive, ride a bike to downtown instead of carpool, or simply walk around the block a couple of times three times a week. You can easily increase the number of times you do any of these as time goes on. 

Sleep More

Sleep is very important. Studies are still being done but sleep is believed to help with weight loss, heart disease, immune system health and so much more. It seems like such a small thing and we were always told to never be lazy and sleep too much. But there is a good amount of sleep that is perfect. You should get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each and every night. 

Ways to Start a Healthy New Year | Volunteer

Did you know that volunteering often increases your own happiness? In fact, a good stress reliever is to go help someone solve a problem that seems easy to you but near impossible for them. For example, you could help feed people or take care of animals at a shelter. You don’t have to do this every single day but once in a while wouldn’t hurt. Aim for once a month.

Log Off

There is nothing worse than skipping your nightly walk to sit and play a mobile game or spend hours and hours on social media. It is important to unplug and get active instead. You could set a certain amount of hours of screen time each week. Then, monitor yourself throughout the week to make sure you don’t go over that amount. This one might be the hardest thing you have to do but it is one of the best ways to start a healthy new year. 

Ways to Start a Healthy New Year | Laughter is Medicine

Studies have proven that laughing reduces stress, strengthens your immune system, and has a very positive effect on your body. Laugh more this year. Don’t be afraid to let it all out and get your body moving from that laughter. You could head to a comedy show, or watch a funny movie. The important thing is that you laugh more, not what makes you laugh more. 

Be Social, in Person

Being social is one of the greatest ways to start a healthy new year. However, this doesn’t mean to be more social on social media. Instead, you should aim to be with friends and family more often. You could even make new friends if you want. The goal is to surround yourself with positive people who lift you up instead of tear you down. It is a lot easier to find that in person rather than online. Not to mention, getting out of the house more often is never a bad idea.