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2021 is finally over and it is now time to start looking ahead. After another tough year for everyone, it is important to try and maintain a positive mindset whilst going into 2022. Sometimes it can be too easy to fall behind on achieving goals set through new years resolutions, but this is a better year than any to stay motivated.
If you are unsure what to aim for in 2022, take a look at some of the following resolutions for inspiration. Maintaining good physical health and mental wellbeing should be an aim for everyone, so let’s take a look at some of the New Year’s Resolutions you can follow in order to achieve this.
1. Get Into a Good Exercise Routine
Exercise is absolutely vital when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Getting into a good exercise routine can have multiple health benefits, both for your physical and mental health.
One of the main benefits of exercise as outlined by the NHS is its ability to reduce your risk of developing major illnesses such as heart disease and strokes. Of course, regular exercise is also extremely important when trying to lose weight, as well as also being an important tool for maintaining your mental wellbeing.
Following an actual routine or program can allow you to organise your time a bit better and helps you when it comes to tracking progress. Whether you are exercising at home or are going to the gym (when they’re open!), a good routine can be really beneficial for you. If you are struggling for inspiration, you can look at some of our favourite indoor workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home. If you want to go back to the gym when they reopen, use this time to outline your goals and plan some effective workouts, so you’re ready to hit the ground running.
2. Improve and Maintain a Balanced Diet
Consuming a balanced diet is essential for optimum health, so diet improvement (normally crash diets) tends to be a common theme amongst people's New Year’s resolutions. Improving your diet can be anything from cutting the amount of calories you consume, going vegan, intermittent fasting, trying keto to just concentrating on eating more fruit & vegetables..
If you are looking to lose weight, following a calorie controlled diet combined with some exercise is going to be the most effective. It is also a good idea, with any diet or lifestyle change to ensure you’re getting an adequate supply of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, so it can be a good idea to consume more fruit and vegetables. It is also common for people to not consume enough omega fatty acids within their diet, with omega-3 typically being found in fish. To combat this it is recommended to consume more oily fish, or an alternative is to consume supplements such as Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend.
3. Try Something New
Life is too short not to keep discovering new things! Sometimes, it’s easy to get stuck in the same patterns doing the same routine day after day, so why not try to expand your mind a little and try something new this year?
Trying something new can be as simple as going for a daily walk; maybe as your ‘fake’ commute to work or it could be finding a new hobby (chess anyone?) to trying a meal-kit company and discovering new food’s and flavours.
It can be tough to know where to start when looking for new activities, as we’re currently housebound, some simple suggestions you can try from your home include Yoga and meditation. These activities can be beneficial for both your physical and mental health, allowing you to relieve stress whilst learning and discovering something new. There are some great apps for meditation like Calm or Waking Up, which we’ve detailed in a blog last year, whilst there are a ton of Yoga workouts on YouTube.
4. Get Enough Sleep
It is recommended that an adult gets between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. It is surprising how many people don’t get enough sleep, despite the fact it is so important to our health and wellbeing.
If you are busy with work and other activities, it can be easy to miss out on sleep, however continuously missing out on sleep can lead to poorer health. Getting the right amount of sleep will improve your focus and mental sharpness, whilst having a positive impact on your body.
If getting the right amount of sleep is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you are sleeping better. Reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake is a key step, as consuming these will affect the quality of sleep you get. It is also recommended that you disconnect from electronic devices at least half an hour before you go to bed, as well as setting out a standard bedtime routine.
For more detailed blogs on sleep hacks, check out the sleep section of our blog.
5. Declutter
Mess is a proven cause of stress, so it can be incredibly relieving to have a clear out every once in a while. Getting rid of any excess items you may have can help you clear up physical space as well as allowing you to feel freer mentally.
If you feel that you need to declutter mentally, it can be a good idea to journal all your thoughts. The process of writing down your thoughts can be cathartic and will allow you to keep on top of everything. Of course, it is always recommended that you share your thoughts with other people if you are starting to feel too stressed or overwhelmed.
