Do you want to improve your overall health in the new year but aren't sure how to go about it?
So many people set healthy New Year's resolutions like "eat better" or "exercise more." However, those aren't very effective goals because they're not measurable. Eat better than what? How much do you need to exercise to be "more"?
Let's look at some good goals that will actually inspire you toward better health.
Set SMART Goals
I'm not going to go into too much detail on this because there are so many other places you can read about it, but make sure to follow the SMART goal guidelines:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-Based
These guidelines will allow you to know you can reach your goals, make concrete plans to do so, and also know when you've conquered them!
15 Healthy New Year Resolution Ideas
When you're just starting out, it can be difficult to know how to set goals, so I'm going to give you some ready-made New Year health resolutions to choose from. They are all specific, measurable, time-based, and achievable for most people. You just need to choose ones that are relevant to you and adjust if needed so they're also achievable for you.
New Year Weight Loss Resolutions
Many people set resolutions to lose weight each year, but I don't like setting pounds lost goals because you aren't in control of the number on the scale. You can do everything right for a whole week and still see an increase. Instead, we need health resolutions that will drive that weight loss but are still measurable and achievable.
Try these:
1 – I will eat 3 servings of raw fruits and vegetables each day. (Raw foods have more nutrients than cooked.)
2 – I will eat at least 40 grams of protein four days a week. (Not doing it every day gives you grace on days it just doesn't happen.)
3 – I will only eat sugary foods twice a week. (Setting limits allows you to still indulge occasionally but not go overboard.)
4 – I will walk 50,000 steps each week. (Spreading the goal over a week lets you make up for days when you're just busy.)
5 – I will move my body for 150 minutes each week. (Go for movement rather than exercise – jumping on the trampoline with your kids or walking your dog totally count.)
6 – I will drink 25 ounces of water by noon, 5 p.m., and 10 p.m. (Spreading out your water intake makes it more achievable – and means fewer bathroom trips!)
Mental Health New Year Resolutions
Mental health is another area that's difficult to set specific goals for. You can't directly control how you feel, but you can focus on setting up habits that will impact your mental health in the long run.
Try these:
7 – I will write at least three items in my gratitude journal each day. (Small goals are more achievable than committing to multiple pages every day.)
8 – I will commit to five minutes of prayer five days a week. (Again, an achievable number and grace for days things don't go as planned.)
9 – I will spend 60 minutes outside each week. (Fresh air and sunshine are amazing for mental health, and a weekly goal works around days when it's 20 degrees below 0.)
10 – I will do one self-care action each week. (This sets an intention to focus on yourself but leaves the action open for whatever fits into your week.)
11 – I will declutter one room of my house each month and donate or throw away any excess items. (Being more minimalist can have an amazing effect on anxiety.)
Other Healthy New Year Resolutions
Feel free to grab any of these and tweak them to fit your own life.
12 – I will take my supplements first thing in the morning. (Setting an early timeframe allows you to catch up later in the day if you forgot.)
13 – I will set a bedtime alarm for 8 hours before I need to wake up and commit to getting in bed as soon as it goes off. (7-8 hours of sleep is a healthy range for adults, and the alarm helps you prioritize it.)
14 – I will schedule a fun day with a positive, uplifting person every month. (You become like the people you spend the most time with, so make the positive people in your life a priority.)
15 – I commit to swapping out toxic products in my home as I use them up and replacing them with cleaner alternatives. (Learn how to choose less-toxic options.)
New Year, New Health
These are just ideas. Use any of them as they are, change the numbers to better fit where you're at, or take inspiration from them and set your own New Year resolutions for health. The goal you're most likely to keep is the one that excites you!
I'd love to hear what healthy resolutions you set for yourself! Please comment below, so I can cheer you on!
And if you'd like to have health info sent to you each week all year long, sign up to get my blogs by email, so you don't miss a thing!
*The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any ailment. Consult your doctor (preferably a naturopath) if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications.
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