Chances are that if you’re like 39% of adults, you will set a resolution for 2023. Perhaps this is the year to approach it with a different mindset. Check out some ideas below that will help you flourish in the new year.
Set Goals, Not Resolutions
Sounds silly, right? The phrase “New Year’s Resolutions” always surfaces after the holidays. Often, we hear of people having a hard time sticking to their resolutions and failing within the first month. For more about the psychology around why resolutions don’t work, check out this article from Psychology Today. Instead, try using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-bound) acronym and discover how to break your goals into smaller steps to make them more achievable! Learn more about SMART goals here.
Food, Mood & Mental Health
As the saying goes, “you are what you eat.” This is especially true during the darker days of winter when we might find ourselves less active and struggling to eat healthy. Understanding the connection between what we eat and how we feel can help us perform at our best. Find out more about the relationship between food and mood from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. For more information about healthy eating, check out these helpful resources:
- 5 Tips for Healthier Grocery Shopping that will help you shop healthy after the holidays.
- The CDC’s article on Healthy Eating Tips to help have a well-rounded diet.
Create a Savings Plan
Saving money isn’t very glamorous, but it can alleviate stress to know that you have a couple of months’ living expenses stashed away for a rainy day. Consider small automatic monthly deposits or a “spending freeze” where you do not purchase non-essential items. Learn more about managing money from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Resources page. Get started with the FDIC’s Money Smart free consumer financial education page.
Read More, Scroll Less!
Promising yourself to use social media less is easy- actually following through is the hard part. Be intentional about how you use social media and think about whether it’s really helping you or if it’s holding you back from the important things in life. Check out your phone’s screen time which will allow you to set limits on certain app usage. From Popular Mechanics an article to See Exactly How Much Time You’re Wasting on Your Phone. Take a look at what Instagram is doing to not only reduce screen time, but keep youth safe: Raising the Standard for Protecting the Teens and Supporting Parents Online.
The New Year is the perfect time for a restart and a good excuse to invest time in yourself. May you have a happy and healthy 2023!
