New Year’s Resolutions

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly; you're doing something.

Neil Gaiman

Apparently 35% of individuals that make New Year’s resolutions break them before the end of January and only 22% see them through the year. People with brains much bigger than mine have looked into the reasons behind this and the main reason people don’t stick to them is they make them unrealistic! So, here’s a few ideas that are realistic and why you should consider them.

Read for thirty minutes a day

Many people are surprised at the number of benefits reading can provide for their mental and emotional wellbeing. An individual who regularly reads reaps the benefits of mental stimulation, which can help slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as the brain is kept active. Reading can also reduce stress, increase your knowledge of the world, expand your vocabulary, improve your memory, create stronger analytical thinking skills, improved concentration, and bolster writing skills. Also, by reading for just thirty minutes a day, you will be able to complete more books within a year.

Have a go at yoga and meditation

I know I’ve banged on about this before however, with its numerous health benefits, yoga is one of the easiest and relaxing ways for individuals to improve their overall health. Benefits include increased flexibility, defined muscle tone, higher strength, improved respiratory and metabolism levels, weight loss, enhancement of cardio and circulatory health, and injury prevention. It can also help alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress.

Whether it is first thing in the morning, in the afternoon for a boost, or at night to help de-stress, meditation offers many benefits including a better night’s sleep, weight loss, and helping to relieve anxiety and stress. Find a quiet space and take five minutes out of your day to relax and reflect, while practicing deep breathing.

Do some decluttering

Start the year off by creating a clutter-free zone for yourself. Whether this includes cleaning your favourite room in the house, or the whole house, having a clean space can help you stay productive and focus on other tasks or hobbies you prefer to tackle throughout the day. Studies have shown the more organized someone’s home is, the more optimistic and clear-minded they’ll feel.

Alternative methods for organizing your space, like Feng Shui, teach that there is a direct correlation between an individual’s health and the quality of the energy in their space. For instance, consider the air quality as well as the amount of natural light and colours in a room to create a more vibrant, joyous, and productive home or office space.

Go for a walk or a run

I know, another thing I bang on about however, studies show a brisk walk or run benefits individuals by burning calories, improving muscle strength, and working their cardiovascular system. The British Heart Foundation suggests walking or running can reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, lower high blood pressure, and improve blood sugar. Running can also decrease the risk of hypertension as well as uterine and bowel cancer. Studies also show walking or running can help improve focus, alleviate headaches, fatigue, and depression, while also improving mental health due to the brain releasing dopamine after such activities. Plus, it also gives individuals a sense of achievement, aiding in self-esteem improvement and physical self-perception. If you do decide to run, something I found useful is setting a goal that is meaningful to you, as an example, I’m going to run the Manchester 10k for Cancer Research in memory of my mum.

Create a new music playlist

Another thing you’ll know about me if you’ve followed this blog is that I LOVE music so, why don’t to make yourself a new playlist? Creating a music playlist of your all-time favourite tunes or exploring new songs provides significant mental and physical health benefits. These including alleviating anxiety and depression, putting the listener in a positive mood, significantly improving sleep, and providing both enhanced cognitive and physical performance. Try to pick songs that make you remember a great time in your life, make you feel good, or elicit any other positive reaction when you hear them.

Try something new

Have you been yearning to have a go at axe throwing or photography or try that new cafe on the high street? Whether it’s something big or small, indulging in your creative side by attending a paint night, taking music lessons (or trying something more adventurous such as Abseiling!) will help you venture outside of your comfort zone and will often increase your confidence and self-esteem while improving your mental and emotional health. Trying something new and exciting can also reduce boredom, loneliness, and can lead to personal growth. Take the plunge and find a new passion or develop a skill you have been putting off.

Volunteer

We live in a chaotic world, and sometimes it just feels good to give back to a cause we are passionate about. Not only will volunteering allow you to give back to your community and make the world a little bit better, but you will also experience a sense of joy, gratitude, and gain a more positive outlook on your life and the world. If you don’t know what you can volunteer for in your local area sign up to the Community and Voluntary Service, I know it’s a UK thing but I’m sure there’s similar things where you are. The CVS match your goals and skills to a whole host of services crying out for volunteers!

Just a few ideas, go on, give them a go!!

What’s on this week?