Looking to be happy and healthy this year? Then you may be interested in these 18 easy tips to help you improve your well-being. Read on to learn more!
Start the New Year off on the right foot by trying some or all of these ideas.
- Make it a habit to be grateful and help others. Every day, write down three things you are grateful for and one thing that you’ll do for someone else. Making this a daily habit yields great results!
- Stay on top of preventive care. This includes regular physical exams, vaccines, blood pressure checks, well-woman exams, and more.
- Add an extra serving of fruit or vegetables per day. Each day, find a way to eat one more serving than you normally would. You may have more opportunities than you realize!
- Add 10 minutes of exercise to your day. If you don’t already exercise, aim to get 10 minutes each day. Try walking to start. If you do currently exercise, add 10 extra minutes to your routine.
- Mind your manners. “Please” and “thank you” can go a long way when interacting with others. It demonstrates respect and appreciation.
- Balance work and home life. Leave work at work and home at home and make the most of your time in both places! If your work life is interfering with your home life, you’re not giving yourself and your family the proper attention. Similarly, if you are letting your home life interfere with your work life, you may not be working up to your full potential.
- Correct your posture. Your posture can affect both your physical and mental health. Work on keeping your back straight, shoulders back and head up, as if you were balancing a book on your head. Avoid slouching!
- Get adequate amounts of sleep. Aim to get between 7 and 9 hours each night.
- Take time away from your “screens” (cell phone, computer, TV, tablet, etc.). Reducing your “screen” time can help you improve sleep, productivity and feel better about yourself. You’ll have more free time to do and experience things.
- Skip the salty snacks or sweet treats and go for fruit to round out packed lunches. Trade your dessert for an after-dinner stroll.
- Practice self-reflection. Plan about 5 to 10 minutes at the beginning or end of your day to think about yourself. Consider all of the things that are going on in your life, how you plan to respond to them, or how you did respond to them.
- Stay in motion. At home, pace, march in place, or sit down/stand up when you’re talking on the phone, folding clothes or watching TV. At work, get up and shake out your limbs every hour, use the restroom farthest from your work station, or get up a relay to message to a co-worker rather than sending an email.
- Don’t drink your calories. Over the course of the day, you can easily cut calories if you skip or reduce your soda, juice and alcohol intake. Choose water instead; it’s calorie-free.
- Stay ahead of stress. Whether you’re having an easy or difficult day, plan to spend at least 5 minutes on stress relief, such as a brisk walk, quick meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Avoid work burnout. Take your designated breaks as often as you are able. Limit the number of days you go in early or stay late. Plan to take time off for personal days and vacations. When you’re away from work, avoid checking emails and voicemails, if possible.
- Track your activity! Use a fitness device, app or pedometer to see how active you are and where you may need to improve.
- Take 10 minutes to mentally unwind before getting into bed. Writing about your day in a journal or closing your eyes and meditating are some great ways to relax.
- Try a new exercise… Now’s the time to switch it up—for example, if you’ve been jogging the same route, pick a new one. Switch from the treadmill to the elliptical, take a new fitness class…the possibilities are endless!
