Keep These 5 Resolutions for a Healthier New Year

It’s that time of year when people make New Year’s resolutions or set goals to be a little better than last year.

But there’s a major pitfall with a lot of New Year’s resolutions. People often set big goals without breaking those goals down into achievable daily or weekly steps. 

Weight loss is a big one. For example: “I want to lose 50 pounds.” It’s a great goal if you’re overweight or obese. But that’s a big number, and you can’t lose that much weight overnight. Break it down to something smaller like lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. That’s something you can do by eating healthier and being more active.

If you’re ready to make some resolutions to be healthier this year, check out these five things you can do every day to achieve your healthy lifestyle goals.

1. Drink More Water

Aim for about 64 ounces (or 8 cups) of water per day. More if you’re really active or live in a warm climate. If you’re not drinking enough water, you’re probably dehydrated. And that can have an impact on your brain, digestion, immune system, and more.

2. Eat Healthier Foods

Did you know most adults don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables? In fact, only 1 in 10 adults eat enough fruits and vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But they’re low in calories and high in nutrients. Make this your goal: 1 to 2 cups of fruit per day, 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.

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3. Be More Active

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (like walking) per day for most adults. If you need to lose weight, 60 minutes of exercise a day is recommended. About 30 percent of all adults don’t get enough exercise. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re not currently exercising, start small. Go for a 5 minute walk, then 10 minutes. Make it a daily habit, and work up to walking 30 minutes a day.

4. Get Your Zzzs

Ever feel tired and fatigued? Your sleep habits may be to blame. About 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is ideal for most adults. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can take a toll on your health, metabolism, brain function, heart, and more. If you want to improve your sleep, go to bed at the same time every night, even on weekends. Avoid watching TV and using electronic devices before bed. Instead, create a bed time routine that will help calm your mind and body.

5. Reduce Stress

Here’s another area that you might want to add to your list of resolutions for a healthier New Year. Reduce stress in healthy ways. Everybody experiences stress from time to time, but not everyone deals with stress in healthy ways. Exercise, meditate, write in a journal, watch a funny movie, spend time outdoors, visit with family and friends, or spend time on a hobby you enjoy.

Start the New Year off right by setting realistic goals you can work on every day. You’ll feel better, be healthier, and live longer.