It’s finally time to say farewell to holiday music, put down the glass of eggnog and step away from the stockings full of candy. As Christmas wraps up and we begin to steel ourselves for the new year, it's tempting to just dust off last year’s resolution and give it another go.
While it can be beneficial to revisit unachieved goals and really put your mind to accomplishing them again, that approach can also fall short of truly motivating you. How about trying something new and different this year?
Having a goal that’s shiny and newer than those freshly unwrapped Christmas presents can propel you on the path to success. Check out these four New Year’s Resolutions you might not have tried before that could help you switch up your routine and resolve to live better in 2020.
1. Climb more trees.
Okay, so we don’t literally mean find a tree in your backyard and shimmy on up (although we're not opposed to it!). But do you remember the feeling you got climbing trees as a kid? The hunt to find the perfect climbing tree, the struggle to reach the next tallest branch, the sheer joy of looking around from your new, higher vantage point—the whole experience was a thrilling one!
This year, resolve to spend more time being active and exploring the outdoors. Tennessee has lots of great parks and hikes within a day's drive. Enjoying the simplicity and beauty of nature around you can reduce stress, and 15-20 minutes of Vitamin D-rich sunlight a day will do your body good.
2. Delete an app.
Screens can be a huge time suck in our lives. Without even thinking about it, we waste 20-minute chunks of time scrolling through funny memes and viral videos. These add up. The time we spend with our noses in our phones is time that could be well spent with family or on achieving some other healthy living goals.
This year, figure out which app gobbles up most of your time and just delete it—for the whole year. Without the temptation at your fingertips, you’ll find yourself free to put your time to better use. You'll be glad you did.
3. Experience JOMO.
Our busy schedules often have us rushing from one task to the next. Before we know it, the days are all running together. We end up in a constant rat race without any hope of crossing the finish line. Then, when we finally do schedule a night out or a family adventure, we come down with a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out) and constantly question if there is something better we could be doing with our time. Enough!
This year, resolve to experience the Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO). You can't do everything. So, take pleasure in exactly what you're doing right now, and let go of the second-guessing and the "might have beens." Find gratitude in each day.
Life is short, kids grow up fast, and our memorable moments fly by faster than the wrapping paper flew off those presents only a few days ago. Don't overthink and compare your life with the lives of others. Start enjoying each wonderful, ordinary day as it comes.
4. Spend more time asleep.
The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a day, yet most of us struggle to clock more than five. Studies show that even just one night of poor sleep increases your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, many people buy into the idea that it's admirable to power through each day completely exhausted. It's actually unwise.
This year, make a commitment to managing your time better to allow for adequate rest. When you resolve to get the right amount of sleep, you’ll be energized and ready to take on the day.
New year, new you
Want more inspiration and practical tips for a healthier you in the new year? Check out our 5 steps to overcoming obstacles to healthy living and learn about 6 YMCA perks that can support you in growing stronger and healthier. Our expert staff is here to help you achieve your goals!