Every single year, millions of Americans set ambitious goals to improve their lives in the new year. While New Year’s resolutions may be a popular time-honored tradition, it’s not always so easy to come up with new ideas or actually follow through on them. So, to help you get yours planned out, let’s take a look at a few popular resolutions and how you might achieve them.
Exercising More
It’ll come as no surprise that hitting the gym or starting a fitness routine tops the list of resolutions year after year. Some people think of it as the perfect opportunity to lose weight, get active, or simply improve their mental and physical well-being. Some great ways to get started are weightlifting, yoga, or simply setting a goal to walk more every day.
Eating Healthier
A close second behind exercising more is eating a healthier diet. Many Americans pledge to eat more healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cutting back on not-so-healthy things like processed foods and sugar also comes hand-in-hand with this resolution.
Saving Money
It can feel like every year, your budget gets tighter and tighter as the cost of living rises, so it’s no wonder that so many of us make finances a priority. Maybe you want to save more, create a budget, or cut back on unnecessary expenses.
Whatever the case may be, the new year is the perfect time to get your finances under control and build a more secure future.
Spending More Time With Family
Everyone’s so busy in this day and age, so it’s good to recognize that family time is just as important as work and productivity. There are many things you could do to work toward this goal, including game nights, scheduling regular calls, or taking more fun trips together.
Losing Weight
We already mentioned eating healthier, but a lot of people are more focused on weight loss itself. While exercising more and eating a healthier diet are obvious ways to embark on this journey, it’s also a good idea to join diet programs and try the latest fitness trends to get yourself mentally on board.
Traveling More
It’s just as important to set goals for your relaxation and enjoyment as it is to set productivity goals. If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, seeing new places is a great top priority to have. Maybe it’s time to visit that dream destination or just local spots you’ve always overlooked.
Quitting Smoking
Giving up smoking is a truly admirable resolution that comes with a plethora of health benefits, including healthier lungs and a lower risk of cancer. Anyone who’s smoked for years knows how hard it can be to quit, but with the help of nicotine patches, support groups, or apps, you can absolutely break the habit.
Drinking Less Alcohol
Something that can be just as hard as quitting smoking is going cold turkey or significantly reducing your alcohol consumption. However, if you drink regularly, this is a great solution for your health.
It can help you sleep better, feel more in control, and improve your overall well-being. Many find Dry January a good starting point for making lasting changes.
Learning a New Skill
There’s no better time to learn a new skill than right now. The new year inspires many of us to pick up hobbies or skills we’ve always wanted to try, so let’s get started! Whether it’s cooking, painting, coding, or this resolution is a great way to challenge the brain and improve your mental health.
Getting Organized
If you’re tired of all those heaps of clutter lying around, you’re not alone. Getting organized and tidy is a popular resolution among Americans. This might mean tackling overflowing closets, sorting through paperwork, or streamlining their daily routines.
Finding a New Job
People who are really looking to shake things up may consider finding a new job a top priority. Maybe you want to find more fulfilling work, earn a higher salary, or achieve a better work-life balance, but whatever the case may be, job-related resolutions reflect a brave drive for professional growth.
Paying Off Debt
Yet another noble goal to aspire to is tackling credit card balances, student loans, or other debts. The new year offers a clean slate to create repayment plans, consolidate loans, or simply just adjust your spending habits.
This resolution doesn’t have to feel stressful and restrictive either: for many, it’s about freedom and reducing financial stress.
Volunteering More
Giving back to the community is a wonderful goal for those looking to make a positive impact. You may want to think about mentoring, helping at food banks, or supporting local charities. But no matter what you decide to do, volunteering offers a chance to connect with others and create meaningful change.
Spending Less Time on Social Media
Science has proven that spending too much time on social media can be bad for our mental health, so cutting back is a great idea for a New Year’s Resolution. While it may feel impossible at first, simply setting daily limits or deleting an app or two can help you become a lot more present and happy.
Getting More Sleep
It goes without saying that sleep is one of the most important things to prioritize in your life. Quality sleep is one of the best ways you can increase your energy, improve your mood, and look after your health. This might involve setting a consistent bedtime, reducing screen time before bed, or creating a relaxing nighttime routine.
Practicing Self-Care
If you’re ready to make yourself and your well-being more of a priority, self-care is the way to go. Self-care resolutions are all about your mental and emotional well-being. For some, this means scheduling regular downtime; for others, it might involve therapy or mindfulness practices like meditation.
Reading More Books
No matter whether you’re a bookworm or have barely read any books in your life, the new year is a great time to dive into literary goals. You may want to consider tackling a classic, exploring new genres, or simply reading for fun.
Reducing Stress
Reducing stress in your life is so important for your health and well-being, so this is another great resolution to have. This can be a very individual process, but you may want to consider things like yoga and meditation or spending more time in nature. There are many methods to create a sense of calm, so try them out and see what works best for you.