How long did you stick with your resolution this year? If you’re like most people, not long. While resolutions can be tough to keep when life gets busy, research shows that setting small, manageable goals can help you make long-lasting changes. Try one of the 10 small resolutions below to start the New Year right.
1. Clean out your cupboards.
Remove all the tempting cookies, cakes, crackers, and other highly-processed snacks. Without these go-to options, you'll be more likely to choose healthier snacks like nuts, fruit, and veggies.
2. Give physical activity a time slot.
Imagine you’re running a network TV station, and you must choose a series (or several) to cancel. Be brutal. If you can live without a show, get rid of it. Then take the time you had spent watching your least favorite shows and spend it doing something active.
3. Find a walking buddy.
Enlist a co-worker to go for a walk with you during lunch. Having a walking partner will help keep you motivated and accountable. Need help choosing the perfect fitness partner? Research shows that choosing someone you view as being more fit than yourself can give you the push you need (plus you’ll burn more calories).
4. Think outside the box.
Commit to cooking dinners without using any food that comes out of a box. You’ll learn to use natural ingredients to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals. Find a healthy recipe in our database.
5. Do frequent posture checks.
When you pass a mirror or window, look at your reflection to see if your stomach is tight and your shoulders are back and relaxed. The more you do it, the more likely you are to improve your posture. Read our ‘round-the-clock rules for perfect posture.
6. Start a bedtime routine for better sleep.
Thirty minutes before bedtime, practice a few calming activities—drink a cup of herbal tea, stretch or meditate, read a short story (no reading the news before bedtime). After a few weeks, this will become habit and you’ll fall asleep faster. Sleep better with our guide to your best sleep ever.
7. Share your food.
For every goal you reach, small or large, tweet what you eat or post pictures of your meals or achievements to Facebook. Look back on all the milestones you’ve hit, and use your past achievements as confidence to fuel future success. Show us your photos on Facebook and Twitter.
8. Find an activity you enjoy.
If you’re an on-again, off-again exerciser, ask yourself this question: Is my chosen activity giving me joy? If the answer is no then you’ll never make it a priority, and you’ll never get really good at it. You’re better off trying different stuff until you find something that does and that you naturally want to do more of.
9. Schedule breaks.
Set time in your calendar for two snacks, two trips to the water cooler, and a 15-minute walk every day. This will give your brain much-needed rest and improve your productivity, efficiency, and overall health. Click here for more break ideas.
10. Add more color to your plate.
Include at least three colorful fruits and vegetables on your plate at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Colorful meals are packed with nutrients to help decrease inflammation. To learn more about the benefits of colorful foods, read "Eat Colorful Foods for Better Health."