It's that time of year again-the time when we binge on everything, overspend, and then reevaluate our lives come January. We're not suggesting you curb your enjoyment this holiday season, but perhaps you could give the new year a bit of thought right now. There's nothing better than a clean slate. What will do when given the chance to start fresh? Even if 2017 was a banner year for you, you likely have some ideas, and we do, too. Read on for ten resolutions you should make in the New Year to end it by saying, "Yeah, that's how it's done."
1. Purge (and Then Purge Again)
Have you heard of the KonMari Method? Developed by organizing consultant Marie Kondo, this is an organization method that involves gathering your belongings by category, holding them one at a time, and then only keeping the ones that "spark joy" in your heart. It might sound silly but this is truly liberating. It puts you in the driver's seat so you don't feel cheated by having someone come over and throw your stuff away. You choose, you lose ... but in a good way. Clutter makes it hard to focus and, sans all this junk around you, your productivity will soar.
2. Eat Healthy but Don't Diet
If you are one of those people that diets, binges, diets, and then binges again-it's time to stop the cycle. Eating healthy and "clean" should become a lifestyle change. Clean eating is essentially eating whole, "real" foods that haven't been processed. In other words, if you're shopping at the grocery store, you'll be using the outside aisles-not the ones towards the center with all the canned, boxed, and frozen ingredients. Instead of going on a fad diet, try eating clean during the week and allowing for a bit of cheating on the weekend and you'll be amazed at how much better you look and feel.
3. Adjust Your All-Or-Nothing Attitude Towards Working Out
4. Start Your Day with Meditation
You'll particularly want to do this if a lack of productivity on your part is something that's always bothered you. When many successful executives have been studied, they all have this one trait in common: They get up early. Whether it's the sound of silence from getting up before others or simply getting a jump on the day's tasks, there seems to be no downside to this (other than the pain of the initial transition, of course!).
This might sound selfish but it's been proven time and time again that helping others helps us to feel better about ourselves. It's like a snowball rolling downhill as, once you start doing this, you pick up momentum and the good feeling it stirs up within ourselves only increases. Whether it's giving what you can financially or volunteering and giving of your time, you won't believe how many mental health benefits you'll get from this.
The percentage of those of us who suffer from regular insomnia is staggering. Whether it's stress, too much caffeine, or something that seems to be inherent within us, it can cause physical and emotional issues. Make 2018 the year that you keep yourself from using your phone before bed, using the TV in your bedroom, and any other habit that will keep you from sleeping.
When it comes to resolutions, our tendency as humans is to give up once we start to let them slide. Again, it's an all-or-nothing mentality. Instead, if you have a day or two in which you don't exercise and eat horribly, don't decide that's what you're going to do for the whole week. Get right back on the healthy train. Your body and mind will thank you.
Just the thought of New Year's resolutions might make you cringe but the truth is that a lot of good can come from them. Follow the 10 resolutions from this list in 2018 and you'll be amazed at what a wonderful direction your life will take.
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