The New Year is just around the bend, and after what a year it’s been, everyone’s looking forward to a change for the better. You’re certainly not alone in hoping that 2020 will resolve to be better in 2021. While you can’t control everything, you’re still able to control yourself and your actions. That’s where your own resolutions come into play. It’s time to take a deep dive into where you want to make improvements to better your own life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about picking just one resolution, it’s okay to choose a few smaller areas you’d like to achieve over the course of the year. Rigid thinking is often why people aren’t able to stick to their resolutions in the first place. Incremental growth is still growth! Be reasonable with your expectations for yourself. Many resolutions involve breaking “bad” habits. Unlearning a particular behavior is a difficult task. Understanding that change takes time will start you off on the right foot. If you’re still feeling like you need more direction, here are five New Year’s resolutions that are actually achievable.
Invest more in your overall health.
People are so specifically focused on fat loss that they often actually forget to take care of their bodies as a whole. In fact, being laser-focused might be doing more harm than good. Your body works as parts to a whole. You can’t focus on just one aspect without bringing every other part into the mix. Focusing on living a healthier overall lifestyle will actually get you to your weight goal faster than trying courses of action like extreme dieting. You have to be able to sustain your progress in order to see the results you want.
So, how can you start living a healthier lifestyle? A good place to start is by visiting your doctor. No one actually wants to go to see their general practitioner; however, in order to know the areas in which you need to improve, it’s important to have a baseline. Be open about the issues you have.
This meeting with your doctor is an opportunity to ask questions. For example, you may be wondering if you should buy R Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). ALA is an important antioxidant found in supplements that are thought to help people struggling with diabetic neuropathy. While using it, you may see weight loss, an improvement in metabolism, a reduction of inflammation, and experience a more balanced blood sugar.
Much like you should talk with your doctor before joining a gym, it’s also vital that you chat with them before introducing new drug administration into your daily routine. Make a commitment to yourself to eat healthier, take the supplements your doctor recommends, and get your body moving.
Own your smile.
Do you avoid smiling, because you don’t like how your teeth look? Do you feel like you never quite stand out in a crowd, because you feel unable to express your joy? You’re certainly not alone in that department. There are many adults that are going to orthodontists for straighter teeth.
As an adult, you might not be thrilled about the idea of getting braces. Braces aren’t very subtle unless you have the money to have them put on the back of your teeth, like some celebrities. It’s understandable that you don’t want to look like your niece’s third-grade metal mouth picture. However, fixing the gap in your lower teeth, your overbite, or your crossbite can contribute to your happiness and your confidence.
Never fear, there’s a more adult-looking solution that will make you smile. An Invisalign treatment fits in your mouth like a retainer and slowly moves your teeth to a desirable position over a period of time. No one will even notice that you’re wearing this retainer. The results that people have before and after Invisalign speak for themself. Resolve to feel better and align your smile this year by talking to an orthodontist. You’ll feel more like your authentic self with a beautiful smile that matches your winning personality.
Dress like who you are on the inside.
Sometimes you just wear whatever’s in your closet, because it’s easy, but that doesn’t mean your clothes fit, feel stylish, or match your personality. What you wear can really influence how you feel about yourself. If you’re not dressing for your personal success, how can you expect to feel like you’re headed in the right direction? Dress for your dreams. If you want to be a lawyer, buy yourself a nice suit and make sure you’re wearing it when meeting important people. If you want people to see you as more approachable, find an outfit that feels more fun and inviting.
You don’t have to ditch your whole closet to dress like who you really are on the inside. Look through your wardrobe and find the basics that fit well. Then, add on accent pieces, like women’s ponchos, to finish off the look. With the addition of a poncho, you can show off your personality by showcasing your favorite color and making your clothing basics pop. If you need any inspiration to look like a sensation—or just to generally feel good—watch a few episodes of Queer Eye and think, “what would Tan do?”
Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time in your day practicing mindfulness, although practicing mindfulness can be a pathway into a happier life. If you suffer from feeling anxious or overwhelmed on a daily basis, mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga give you space and time to release that tension and prepare for the day in a much more receptive mindset. All you have to do is wake up 15 minutes earlier or leave your lunch table early to reap the benefits. Mental health plays an important role in being able to accomplish your goals. By carving out space in your day for mindfulness, you’ll be more likely to tackle other resolutions throughout the year.
Extend more grace to yourself and others.
Resolving to be kinder to yourself can actually influence every relationship you have. You may not even realize how negative your self-talk has become until you take the time to interrogate it. When you’ve lashed out at your partner, friend, co-worker, or child; ask yourself if you have something deeper going on inside that made you more sensitive to their mistakes? In moments when you find yourself doubting or belittling yourself, take a breath, and write down five things you like about yourself. They don’t have to be complicated and you can’t say you can’t think of anything, because that’s a cop-out. It’s just a reminder to yourself that you’re worthy even in difficult moments. When you’re kinder to yourself, you’ll find it’s easier to be nicer to others around you.
Now that you’ve got a little more direction, pair down what you’d like to focus on and take the time to write down your resolutions. Put your resolutions on your refrigerator or your bathroom mirror as a reminder every day of what you’re hoping to accomplish. See setbacks as a learning experience instead of failures. Changing the mental game surrounding New Year’s resolutions should help you make your goals stick over time.
