The plans for the coming New Year’s Eve are going to be a lot different than what they were last year. People are more likely to spend their time on a couch watching a festive movie or enjoying an early dinner than going to a party. But it’s still a tradition to decide on New Year’s resolutions before December 31. The history of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the Romans who began each year by making promises to their god Janus(from whom the month of January gets its name).
According to an online survey conducted in 2019, nearly 28% of Americans had reported that they had made a New Year’s resolutions for 2020. Most were optimistic about their ability to stick to their resolutions but the pandemic ruined their plans. Are you also one of them? Instead of getting demotivated, try again.
A recent survey has reported that the top planned New Year’s resolutions for 2021 aren’t focused on exercise or weight loss, but rather saving money for the future (62%) and learning a new skill (50%). 68% of people are letting go of their materialistic resolutions. They want to focus more on experiences — like spending more time with family or travelling more. After a difficult 2020 more and more people are looking at life from a different perspective.
How to make New Year’s Resolutions?
- Tackle the new year with a fresh mindset and renewed motivation.
- Resolutions can be short-term or long-term.
- Some reasons why people fail at their resolutions: unrealistic goals, not keeping track of progress or making too many resolutions!
- In order to stay committed, don’t set harsh deadlines, but rather keep checking with yourself regularly throughout 2021.
Here are a few tips to brighten your days and put the pep back into your step in 2021:
- Budgeting – Outline a budget that works for you and make plans for how you’ll stick to it.
- Diet – Food is fuel, not a therapy!
- Do not skip meals, but also don’t overeat. Include fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts regularly.
- Hydrate: Drink minimum of 8 glasses of water per day.
- Learn cooking: Not only should you eat healthy but also try out different cuisines.
- Avoid addictive substances – Avoiding alcohol improves your mood, sleep pattern, skin, and immune system. Tobacco products are extremely harmful and lead to fatal diseases.
- Exercise
- Exercise daily: Incorporate new workout routines.
- Clean the house: Helping in household chores helps burn calories.
- Take nature walks: Sunlight is crucial to regulate our moods/circadian rhythms.
- Time management– Learn to manage time better.
- Do one thing at a time – organize activities into chunks of time, giving 100% to each. Multitasking doesn’t make you efficient but leads to considerable stress. Fragmented focus, increases anxiety as work piles up.
- Delegate – Spend money on time-saving services, e.g. microwaves, dishwashers. Ask others for help when needed.
- Relaxation time – Keep time for relaxation. Sleep on time, practice meditation and yoga to relax your mind and body.
- Hobbies– Hobbies are good distractions from everyday stresses and strains!
- Try out new hobbies.
- Gardening – Caring for plants calms the nerves and improves concentration.
- Learn a new skill- e.g. calligraphy, quilling, a musical instrument.
- Try out new looks – Working on your looks is refreshing and makes you feel good.
- Travel – Going overseas might be off for a while, but a short trip in a car is a great way to change pace and forget about social media for a day!
- Volunteer – Charity work lowers stress and improves well-being.
- Thought management – Thoughts influence emotions, behaviours, and habits.
- Maintain a diary where you can write down your thoughts.
- Write kind words to yourself, as you’d say to a friend.
- Maintain a gratitude journal. Write 3 good things that happened to you today.
- Don’t spread rumours and avoid negative news on social media.
- Therapy:
- Music therapy – Music has been known to work wonders like lowering stress, reducing pain and elevating mood.
- Aromatherapy – Use aromas as they affect mood, memory, and energy.
- Professional therapy – Resolve to care for your mental health. Reach out to your nearest mental healthcare professional if needed or get an appointment for online counselling from the comfort of your home!
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy 2021! We at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital are here to support you at each step of your health journey. Consult our team of specialists for regular health check-ups, dietary advice, or counselling for mental health problems. Stay safe!