Healthy New Year Resolutions

I’m not one for ‘New Year Resolutions’. If you believe you can only change on the New Year, or tie a behavioural change to a specific date, the likelihood of following through or succeeding with your resolutions are slim. What’s more, if or when you fail (like over 90% of people who set New Year Resolutions) you reside yourself with having to wait a whole other year, and rob yourself of the opportunity to fail and try again. Instead of New Year Resolutions, here are five simple goals:

1) Drink more water

Although that “eight cups a day” thing isn’t true for everyone, staying hydrated is essential. Not only does it keep all your physical functions, like digestion, running optimally, it makes you less likely to mistake thirst for hunger, a common mix-up that can lead to overeating.

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2) Add instead of subtracting

When it comes to resolutions, a lot of people start by promising to “give up” bad foods. Instead, try to focus on adding healthier options to your diet. You should try to eat “more of the rainbow”, purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables of all varieties. Try not to leave the supermarket until you have found food of 5 different hues.

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3) Take the stairs

Ponder this, if you lost the use of your legs tomorrow, what would you give to be able to walk up those dreaded stairs? Don’t take your legs for granted! What’s more, making small, daily changes such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator may seem minor, but they can make a big difference for your heart in the long run. Individuals who are physically active are much less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

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4) Stay In Touch

Feel like old friends (or family) have fallen by the wayside? It’s good for your health to reconnect with them. Research suggests people with strong social ties live longer than those who don’t. In a technology-fixated era, it’s never been easier to stay in touch—or rejuvenate your relationship—with friends and family, so fire up Facebook and follow up with in-person visits.

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5) Give someone you don’t know a compliment

You never know what someone is going through, how stressed they might be, or just how powerful a well-meaning compliment can brighten a strangers day. Complimenting others makes you feel instantly happier too, boosting your mood and increasing your confidence. Worried about offending someone by complimenting their appearance? #MeToo. Here are some examples which avoid that:

• "You’re really good at that"
• "You are making a difference"
• "I appreciate you"
• “You have such a kind smile” - Which is perhaps the one exception to the no-commenting-on-appearance rule. As long as you’re not commanding them to smile, or being creepy, it will likely make them smile even more.

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Wondering what else you can do to better yourself for the New Year? Naturally, consider making a chiropractic checkup to start the year at your best.

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Written by Edward Benson-Cooper