REALISTIC AND ATTAINABLE RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Realistic and Attainable

Resolutions for the New Year

In 2022, consider making one of those realistic resolutions that are beneficial for your mind, body and soul.

By Larissa Hamblin

Every year, we set New Year’s resolutions that usually consist of drinking more water, eating healthier and planning to exercise more. While they are set with good intentions, they typically fall off the radar by the time spring rolls around.

With 2021 almost behind us, it’s safe to say that some self-care is truly needed in the year ahead. So, challenge your-self to set realistic resolutions centered on your wellbeing, even if you have already made a resolution that revolves around the usual topics of health, fitness and finance.

Here are some ideas for your mind, body and soul.

Reserve 30 Minutes for You

As a society, we are constantly rushing, from the moment we wake up to the time we get home, and in return, we overlook the things we can do to better ourselves, and our minds. Resolve to take 30 minutes each day to do something that you find relaxing and meaningful. Whether that means reading a couple chapters of a new book, drinking a cup of coffee without distractions, watching a guilty pleasure TV show or taking a walk around your neighborhood, be intentional with choosing an activity that will boost your energy and productivity.

Start a Gratitude Jar

At the end of every day, write something you are grateful for down on a piece of paper. It can be something that specifically happened during your day or something that you surround yourself with. Then, fold it up and place it in a designated jar. On New Year’s Eve, open up your jar and take time to reflect on all of the things that made your year brighter.

Write Letters to Loved Ones

There’s nothing worse than coming home from work to a mailbox full of bills, but finding a letter from a loved one can brighten anyone’s day. Offering a small act of surprise and love through simply mailing a letter shows those closest to you how much you love them and that you are thinking of them. Not only will it help you spend time in your day spreading admiration and positivity, it will help bring light into your loved ones’ lives too.

Unplug Before Bed

The last thing we see before we go to bed should be our loved ones, not our screens. Make it a ritual to turn off your TV and phone at least 30 minutes before you lay your head down on your pillow. Instead, read a book, have a final conversation with a friend or loved one, or just drink some tea while writing in a journal. Countless studies prove that not only will you rest better but waking up in the morning will also be easier with a sounder sleep cycle.

Practice A Self Care Routine

Whether it’s once a week or every day, take time out of your night to tend to yourself in the form of skin care. Light a candle, grab a new facial scrub and try a new facemask. Don’t rush through the process – just relax and soak in the time that you have for you.

No matter what you choose to do for 2022, make sure it’s something that will make you feel good about yourself and the year ahead.

Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions

In a divided world, one thing we can all agree on is saying goodbye to 2021, and hello to 2022. If starting the New Year with resolutions isn’t your cup of tea, try the following ideas to set yourself up for a better and brighter year.

By Kaitlyn Fusco

Set Your Intentions

With so much going on in the world around us, it is important to remember we can’t control others, but we can control our attitude, and our intentions behind our own actions. So, this year set the stage for your own intentions. This requires more than simply writing down a goal; it is about setting a specific mindset or feeling, and declaring what it is you want to attract or confront in the New Year.

Press the Refresh Button on Your Life

Maybe there is one particular area of your life you’d like to press Command+Shift+R (or Ctrl+R for my PC friends) on, and refresh a little bit. Maybe you let something go this year. Or maybe you de-clutter your living space. For one reason or another, we can all benefit from a fresh start, and there’s no better time than the start of a new year.

Choose a Word of the Year

A new trend in the world of resolution building is choosing a word of the year to help guide you through the next 12 months. Since many resolutions don’t last, this is meant to be a longer-lasting approach. It is suggested to choose one word, or a short phrase, to help guide your decisions in an effort to reach your goals.