New Year, New You

We all know how it goes. The new year comes, and with it comes a desire to make THIS the year that you’re going to ‘do the thing.’ But, come February, that ‘thing’ is all but a distant dream. Maybe next year, right? Here are some easy resolutions that are maybe a little less difficult to try out and possibly make part of your new normal. No big projects like repainting the deck – we promise!

1. Add just 1 more glass of water per day.

We’re not saying you need to hit the standard 64 oz (or the more updated calculation which is number of ounces per body weight.) Try to just add another 8 oz instead. One great way to make this a routine is to have that full glass of water right after you wake up. One immediate benefit from this is that it can actually help to wake you up! Another added benefit is beginning your day hydrated.

 

 

 

2. Walk for 30 minutes, 3 times per week.

Not a run, or even a jog (unless you want to). Just a simple walk. Exercise can be a bit of a difficult routine to start and stick to, but even just a walk around the neighborhood can improve your both your heart health and your mental health, especially with so many of us working from home these days. We know the weather isn’t the greatest this time of year, but it’s still great to get some fresh air if you have rain gear. Or, drive to your nearest mall and walk a few laps indoors.

 

 

3. Add 1 more serving of veggies to your day.

We all know that most of us aren’t eating the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. But what if you made a conscious effort to add just 1 additional serving? Grab some baby carrots from the store and snack on them with your lunch, or add some olive oil, salt, and pepper to broccoli florets and roast them until they are just slightly charred for a tasty dinner side. Easy peasy.

PRO TIP from a Bartell’s employee for a root veggie side: Cut into chunks 1 sweet potato, 1 regular potato, 1 large onion, 3-4 beets, 2-3 parsnips, and 2 handfuls of brussel sprouts. Toss with a high heat oil like safflower oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Spread veggies in an even layer on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees for about 20-30 minutes until potatoes are easy to pierce with a fork. (Bake time depends on size of pieces). Save the leftovers in the fridge for easy reheating.

4. Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

A big part of quality health is getting quality sleep. Many underlying conditions can cause sleep issues, but one way you can try to help your body rest better is to give it a consistent sleep schedule. If you go to bed at 10:30 on a weekday, try to go to bed that same time even on a Saturday night. We’re not saying you can never go out and stay up past midnight – just try not to make it a weekly habit. Over time, your body will adjust and once the day gets closer to your scheduled bed time, your brain will begin to recognize that it’s time to sleep.

5. Discover or re-discover something you really enjoy.

Have you always wanted to try your hand at cupcake decorating? Did you used to really enjoy painting? Playing piano? Dancing? Make space in your life to have ‘you’ time – whether that means anything as big as taking a solo camping trip to having 20 minutes on a Tuesday night to read a book. Everyone has felt just how busy and chaotic life can get sometimes with families, work, obligations, etc. Take a moment to fully enjoy doing something you love and improve your mental well-being.