Take a guess at what some of the top New Year’s resolutions are. If you picked “get fit” or “eat better,” you’re correct!
These are great goals, but they’re also vague and usually hard to keep. The more specific a resolution is, the better it could stick in the long run. And there are plenty of great health goals that are not only more focused, but may help you lose a little weight anyway.
Here are 7 health and fitness resolutions (besides losing weight) to try this year:
1. Drink more water
Staying hydrated is a great resolution to make. This simple action could do a lot for your body: help keep skin healthy, give you more energy, boost productivity and much more!1 Plus, it’s easy on the wallet—all you really need is a reusable bottle to carry with you.
The amount of water you should drink each day may depend on factors such as your general health, how often you exercise and the temperature outside. You may want to talk to your doctor to figure out how much water you should be aiming to drink each day.
2. Eat more fresh foods
Processed food is convenient, but it’s not the healthiest option. Pre-packaged foods are often stuffed with extra salt, sugar and other preservatives that have been linked to many health issues. Eating a bit less of these foods and more fresh ones could be a great way to kick off the new year.
Eating more fresh foods can be easy. Rather than snacking on things like crisps or lollies, reach for a piece of whole fruit instead. Put carrot sticks with hummus or a cup of berries in your lunch bag each day. And, serve a salad with homemade dressing alongside dinner a few times a week.
3. Cut back on takeaway
It can be tough to know just what a takeaway meal is made from, let alone how many kilojoules are packed into each bite. You could unknowingly be eating way more fat, salt or sugar than you realise!
Takeaway meals are convenient on busy nights, but probably shouldn’t be part of your regular meal plan. Cooking at home just two or three more times each month could be better for your health (and your wallet, too!). Perfect a few quick and easy recipes and keep those ingredients on hand to fall back on when your schedule gets crazy.
4. Walk more
You’ve probably heard that you should walk at least 10,000 steps each day. Whilst this isn’t necessarily the magic number for everyone, there is wisdom in this advice. Regular, brisk walks have been linked to all sorts of health benefits, from improving bone strength to decreasing stress.
If walking more sounds daunting, then try taking things slow. Just a brisk 10 minute walk every day could yield results. You can even fit this into your routine by walking to the shops, doing laps around the field whilst the kids are at sport practice or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
5. Focus on flexibility
Strength training and cardio exercises are what most people focus on when improving their fitness. Flexibility is often overlooked, even though it can have a big impact on overall health. Regularly stretching your muscles may help prevent aches and pains, improve circulation and could help prevent injuries.2
Consider making flexibility training part of your daily routine. Need a little guidance? A yoga class may be a good way to stretch your muscles. This popular exercise takes many forms, meaning just about anyone can give it a go regardless of their current fitness.
6. Try a little meditation
Mental health is another important area that we sometimes overlook. Everyday stress to more serious issues—like anxiety and depression—can weigh on people and even negatively impact their physical health. Practicing meditation or mindfulness may help calm the mind and take care of our mental health.
Even a few minutes of meditation could make a difference and can be done almost anywhere. Common techniques include focusing your attention on your breath, repeating a calming word or phrase or practicing tai chi or yoga. There are even free apps available to guide you through simple meditations whenever you may need them.
7. Aim for better sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation may contribute to many different health issues and put people at risk for major accidents, so making sleep a priority could be a smart move.
Small changes to your night routine could help you get more and better quality sleep. Keeping a regular sleep schedule all week, creating a relaxing bedtime routine and cutting down on caffeine in the afternoon may put you on the right track.
Give some of these healthy resolutions a go this year. And who knows—you might even start to see results by February!
1. Healthline, How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day? June 2018
2. Livestrong, What Are the Benefits of Good Flexibility?
About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
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