Sitting down and making those painstakingly difficult New Year’s Resolution Lists, that last a matter of days, sometimes only hours…is not something we relish. It’s good to make lists; we can’t deny that list-making and being proactive and organized is the key to a healthy mind and less stress. However, when it comes to making changes, it can be a little trickier to muster up the strength. Here are some tips of how to make a positive change in the New Year, because I do believe that we all endeavor to make at least the first few months of any New Year, a positive, life-changing, goal-making, dream-creating one. Mostly. Right?
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Get Out More
Another way to get out and about would be to take an hour off on the weekend with a friend or family member, and go swimming or play your favorite sport. You’ll be amazed how good sports are as a bonding session with your friends and family (hello sand volleyball)!
Getting out doesn’t necessarily mean going out socializing every night, burning the candles at both ends, and spending an exorbitant amount of money that you don’t have, just to say ‘you’ve been out.’ While socializing is a very important part of keeping a healthy mind and attitude towards life, there are ways of doing it without breaking the bank after Christmas. Inviting some friends round, having/cooking dinner together, and catching up… it can be difficult to find energy for that if you work 9-5.
If you work from home, try taking a long walk in your area before you sit down to work; it gets the blood going, gives you a little bit of energy, and releases endorphins: and then you’re engaged in your body and mind, ready for the day! If you are struggling with anxiety, it could be good to look for a therapist and they can assist you with getting out and about.
Planning Ahead
Keeping a planner is essential anyway, especially for someone who has a million errands to run week by week and is trying to juggle a social life, possibly a relationship, and maybe even children all in one. However, planning ahead is one sure way to make you feel more positive in the moment. If you plan a nice evening meal a few weeks in advance, maybe even a break to the city or even just a shopping trip; you always have little things in the pipeline to look forward to, which I find has always kept a healthy happy mind. The feeling of excitement is my absolute favorite! Being spontaneous is also incredible but for people who find their lives to be mundane, especially after the comedown of the Christmas period, then making sure you get things down on your calendar in advance can be a little trick to keep you feeling higher and not lower. We all have those moments of panic, freak out, mental breakdown, and feeling as if life is taking a nosedive. It’s not. You can always elevate yourself somehow, and remember of course, you are never alone!
Be Thoughtful
Doing a little good deed can make you feel on top of the world. This does not have to include money, and sometimes, it may not even need much time, but being thoughtful to others, and spreading a little bit of joy, and a touch of sparkle into someone’s life can be fulfilling. Little things, such as leaving sweet, kind post-its on your colleagues’ desks, or sending someone a text whom you haven’t spoken to in a while, or even an e-card through email, just to make someone smile when they open it, are all simple, yet impactful gestures. You could smile at strangers (I always do- is it a Midwest thing?), give a bit of spare change to a homeless person, even a few quarters or dollars, look for some bargains in the charity shops and support a good cause (NOT Goodwill), or even just compliment a stranger. Everyone loves a good compliment! Striving to be content is vital, and it all comes from within yourself.
•How do you take care of your mental and emotional health? What do you want to improve in 2020?
Thank you for reading!