3 Enjoyable New Year’s Resolutions for Big Health Impact

As a new year rolls in, everyone always likes to think about what they can do differently next year. Often, these resolutions include health.

This year, go easier on yourself with goals that sound more fun but make a significant impact on your health and mental health.

1) Instead of saying you will exercise more or exercise every day, make it a goal to discover and pursue more physical activity you love. Could it be learning a new recreational activity, such as tennis or pickleball? Or what about city softball? Or yoga or Pilates? Or dance classes? Or gym classes? By combining a social or joyful component into movement, you make “finding what you love” the goal. Variety is the key. If you can find several ways to be more active, that is better still.

2) How can you enjoy cooking and eating at home more often? Is it by purchasing a subscription to prepared meals or kits? Getting the service of a chef or cook to help? Buying new kitchen equipment, such as Instant Pots, mixers, or toaster ovens? A cooking class or a book? Learning to use Instacart or another grocery delivery service so shopping time can be turned into cooking time? Which ones appeal to you?

There is nothing wrong with admitting you don’t have the time, skills, or equipment to plan meals, grocery shop, and cook every night. It is okay to seek help to eat healthier foods at home. Focusing on making this critical goal easier and more enjoyable will go a long way throughout the year and help you enjoy more meals at home.

3) Easy swaps help you break poor beverage habits that have built up over time. Feel the need to pop open a soda or an energy drink in the morning or during the day? If it is high in sugar and caffeine, it might leave you feeling tired too soon while adding too much sugar to your eating plan. Why not switch to cold brew? Or how about purchasing a variety of enjoyable flavored teas? You can fill up a metal to-go beverage cup with something good before you leave the house. Wherever you are drinking soda, find a way to engineer better beverages along the way.

Or perhaps you are drinking too many cocktails to wind down at the end of a day or week? Switching to mocktails or non-alcoholic beers can help you reduce the amount you drink each week.

By focusing on making routines enjoyable, you might find it easier to stick with them.