Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Now the BIG question…do you keep them? If you actually follow through with your resolutions, you are one of the few. Unfortunately, 80% of our resolutions fail by the second week of February1. Ouch!
We all certainly have good intentions with our New Year goals, but sometimes we set our ambitions a bit too high. For many of us, resolutions result in disappointment and frustration, however, it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are resolutions that you can actually keep! The best part? They have nothing to do with weight loss. These six resolutions may seem simplistic, but the combination of these easy steps can have a profound effect on your overall health and happiness for 2019.
1) Resolve to sleep better
Many of our previous resolutions may have involved making more money or working harder, but some of these goals come with a cost, namely less sleep. Jobs, family, and errands – all of these demand our time, and all too often we sacrifice sleep to fit everything into our busy schedule.
Lack of sleep can lead to all kinds of problems in our lives, including premature aging, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.2 It can also kill your sex drive2. It’s not surprising then that getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night can make your heart stronger, reduce stress and inflammation, improve your memory and may help prevent diseases like cancer3.
This year, resolve to get more sleep. Your working hours will be more productive and you’ll notice a healthier you, which mean less time at the doctor’s office and more time doing the things you want to do.
2) Resolve to be more grateful
Unfortunately for most of us, the feelings of gratitude that were at the forefront of our minds during Thanksgiving often take a back seat in January as our work and school schedules become a top priority. It’s time right now to cultivate an attitude of gratitude as one of our top resolutions for 2019 (and every year after that). Gratitude doesn’t cost any money and it doesn’t take much time, but the benefits are amazing. Besides opening doors for new relationships and improving self-esteem, there are surprising health benefits as well. People who are consistently grateful experience better overall physical health (fewer aches and pains) and better psychological health (less resentment, envy and depression)4. Being grateful also improves your sleep, so if you struggle with Resolution #1, write down a few grateful thoughts right before bedtime.
3) Resolve to be kind to yourself
While we always strive to be kinder to the people we interact with, there is still one person we forget to treat with compassion – the one we see in the mirror every day. We can be really hard on ourselves without even being aware of it. We tend to criticize how we look, how we raise our kids, the quality of the work we do at our job, etc. Being harsh on ourselves can take a toll on our health.
This year, be conscious of the words you tell yourself. Developing self-compassion can lower your heart rate, help boost your immune system and help with depression and anxiety. Being kind to yourself also helps you manage chronic pain because when we soften our harsh, reactive stance, it can reduce the amount of pain we experience5.
By putting an end to beating ourselves up over issues, we jump off of the continuous negative feedback loop. Recognize that everybody makes mistakes and cut yourself some slack. Pick yourself up and try again. It’s not the end of the world.
4) Resolve to schedule time for yourself
While we might be masters of scheduling our work time productively, many of us forget about scheduling some ‘me time’. It’s hard to believe, but over half of us don’t use all of our allotted vacation days. Americans forfeit approximately 212 million days a year, which averages out to about $561.00 in lost benefits per employee6.
This year, resolve to schedule free time for yourself. Don’t just think about taking time for yourself; actually put it on your calendar like you would for your meetings and appointments. Give yourself permission for this time and don’t think of it as wasted time. It’s important for your well-being. Scheduling time for yourself will give you more energy, help you sleep better, help you cope with depression and anxiety, and be more resistant to sickness7.
Free time doesn’t mean idle time. Use these blocks of time to schedule what you enjoy doing most and still improves your life. ‘Me time’ can include reading a good book, creative writing, taking an online course, planning a family or friends’ event, or starting a hobby. The possibilities are endless.
5) Resolve to relax more
Just because you resolve to sleep more doesn’t mean you should skip this resolution. Relaxing is different than sleep. Daily stress can take its toll on our body. Learning to relax can have many health benefits, including lowering your blood pressure, improve your digestion, maintain proper blood sugar levels and slow your heart rate8.
There are many relaxation techniques to choose from; breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis, etc. Choose the ones that feel right for you, and then schedule some time for relaxation in your day (see #4). Relaxation techniques are low to no cost and can be done almost anywhere. Start now and watch your stress melt away.
6) Resolve to take care of you
There’s only one you and you have only one body. Make a resolution in 2019 to take better care of yourself. If you’ve been putting off going to the doctor, schedule a check-up. Make sure you are healthy enough for exercise, then start a moderate exercise program or get out and walk. Eat better. We’re not saying start a drastically different diet, but slightly cutting down on fats and sugars is a great start. You are more likely to make these changes stick if they are gradual. Get used to the changes, then try getting better as you go. When you start feeling healthier and have more energy, you’re more likely to continue in a positive direction.
Another great way to take care of yourself is to support your immune system*, your body’s system of defense. It protects us environmental damaging forces and is critical for our survival. Please read 7 Signs You Have A Weakened Immune System to see if you have any of the mentioned signs.
A great way to support your immune health* is with Sovereign Silver’s Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol™. Use as a part of your daily diet to maintain a healthy immune system all year long.*
We don’t always make good on our New Year’s goals, but following through with these six easy to keep resolutions can lead to big improvements in your health, making 2019 a very happy new year for you and your loved ones. Who knows, you might even lose a little weight as a bonus!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References:
https://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-resolutions-courses-2016-12
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#1
https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-health-benefits-of-a-good-nights-sleep-2223766 https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#31230d9b183c
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/being-kind-to-yourself/
https://projecttimeoff.com/reports/state-of-american-vacation-2018/
https://adrenalfatiguesolution.com/schedule-some-me-time-every-day/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368
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