According to statistics, 41% of Americans keep New Year’s resolutions every year, and only 9% actually manage to achieve them with some success. So if you’re thinking about making a New Year’s resolution – congratulations, you have about a 9% success rate!
However, by choosing the right resolutions and managing them over the course of the year, you can improve your odds and stay within the 9% that actually make it happen.
So what are some resolutions that are easier to keep? Check out our top 10 picks:
1. Take a Walk:
Walking is good for you, it helps to revitalize your body and boost your energy levels. Research has proven that taking short-walks helps reduce your stress levels and can help to clear your mind and regain focus.
2. Skip the Coffee:
There are so many alternative (healthy) drinks that can replace a morning coffee and make you feel like a million dollars! Choose from hot (drinks) options such as the ‘Ginseng Tea’ or the ‘Golden Milk’ (Turmeric Tea), or slurp down a breakfast smoothie packed with proteins, while doing good to your body for now and later.
3. Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock:
You can stop being a slave to your alarm clock and train yourself to wake up naturally, without the need to be woken up by an annoying sound. It’s a habit that you can train yourself in, making you more alert in the morning and, more productive.
4. Plan the Weekend:
If you plan to have a good weekend, your weekend needs a plan! For successful people, it is as important to plan the weekend, as it is to plan the week. Make sure to make a list of things you would like to accomplish over the weekend, and time them to perfection, so you can have a great weekend and feel relaxed and revitalized for another work week.
5. Call Your Parents/loved ones:
A recent study in to “Microbursts” by Janet Nikolovski and Jack Groppel — both with Wellness & Prevention, Inc. (a Johnson & Johnson company), has revealed that we don’t always need physical activity to boost our energy levels. Interacting with people is also energizing, though it has to be the right people.
“Talking to a coworker wasn’t nearly as energizing as talking to a loved one.” — Nikolovski
So the next time you find yourself craving for an energy booster (coffee), simply pick-up the phone and speak to your mother and see the energy levels rise!
6. Early to Bed and Early to Rise:
Do you often find yourself rushing in the morning, playing catch-up all the time? Do you feel overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of the day? Then you will be glad to know that there is an easy fix for all your problems.
Wake up early! No, not like 4 AM early, (that’s only if you want to be like most successful people), even 10 minutes early will do if you just want to stop playing catch-up!
7. Switch-Off the Screen and Get Active:
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” — Plato
Plato knew it over 2000 years ago and recent research has confirmed it: People who exercise regularly are healthier and happier, while time spent in front of screens such as T.V., phones, computers, video games, etc. contribute to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, depression, etc.
So switch-off and get active if you want to live healthy and happy!
8. Learn a New Language:
To learn something new, such as a language or a new skill, is one of the most popular New Year’s resolution, second only to losing weight! However, it is also one of the most likely resolutions that you may fail to keep.
The reason being, resolutions are often thought of as an ‘end-goal’ and not the process! If you are planning on learning a new language, it is important to break it down to smaller meaningful objectives such as learning basic phrases, perfecting the pronunciation/accents, speaking fluently, watching target language movies, reading articles or listening to music, etc.
If you haven’t decided on which language to learn this New Year, then you may want to check out our other blog on Top Foreign Languages to Learn in 2020.
9. Smile More:
A smile is a simple and effective way to connect with people around us. It is a peaceful sign that breaks-down barrier and spreads joy. It is a universal language that is understood by all and helps build relationships. It requires less effort than frowning because fewer facial muscles are used.
10. Give to Charity:
Of course, you can pledge to donate 10% of your monthly/annual income to your preferred charity, however, you don’t need to be a Bill Gates to give back to the community!
There are many (non-monetary) ways in which you can give back! Whether you stop on your morning commute to help out a stranger, or litter-pick at your neighborhood beach, there are several ways you can contribute and make a positive difference. Even a smile is considered to be a form of charity in certain faiths.
One way of giving back is to look out for are one-for-one initiatives such as Cudoo’s buy-one, give-one online courses that help you make a difference in other people’s lives while you make a difference in your own; by learning new skills.
Andrie Steliou
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