I love January.
Do you?
There’s something about the concept of beginning again and January is the month that creates a desire for something new to happen.
Our hopes and dreams get another shot of becoming a reality and those hopes and dreams that became a reality last year, get a firm foundation in the new year.
Hopes, dreams, and resolutions, the big 3 of January.
Out of those 3, resolutions seem to fade into the darkness of night by January 17th. From new diet programs to new gym memberships, or new home exercise equipment, many have grand plans for their health resolutions.
Let’s try something different this January. Rather than making resolutions, try setting realistic health goals for yourself. You’ll find yourself achieving your goals a lot easier than your resolutions because your goals are from your heart and resolutions are from your head.
Here are three healthy habit goals you can easily achieve over the next few weeks. Each one will give you better health and you’ll feel good about all that you will achieve in the new year.
Healthy Habit No. 1: Meal Planning
What is does your evening look like when it’s time to prepare your evening meal?
Most people rush home, stand in the kitchen with hands-on-hips, pondering, what am I preparing tonight? UGH!
For me, it’s the worst part of the day.
Rather than come home and rush to prepare something that you or no one else really wants to eat, try meal planning. Once you get in the habit of planning your meals, you’ll wonder why you’ve not started earlier.
Imagine coming home, opening the fridge, pulling out a prepared meal, heating it up, and enjoying the meal without all the hassle of last-minute preparation.
Let me just say, it’s a wonderful feeling.
Your meals are healthier, your stress levels are lower, and you have more time in the evening to enjoy yourself. Plus, you’ll save on groceries too.
Not sure where to begin?
Try my course Meal Prep Made Simple
It’s a course for beginner meal planners, you will learn how to plan and prep your meals to save you time and money.
Click here to learn more >> Meal Prep Made Simple
Healthy Habit No. 2: Sleep
The average American gets about 6.5 hours of sleep per night. Ideally, we should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Sleep is one of the best habits you can add to your goals this year. While you may feel like you’re doing okay on 4, 5, or 6 hours of sleep, your health may say otherwise.
When you’re operating on sleep deprivation, your body slowly begins to wind down and you’ll begin to show signs of fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, brain fog, weakened immune system, premature skin aging, and this is just the top of the list.
Start January with the habit of getting more sleep each night. Start slowly and build up to at least seven hours of sleep. Download a nighttime app on your phone to remind you it’s time to get ready for bed. Turn your electronics off at least 30 minutes before bedtime in order to bring a sense of calm to your body.
I enjoy a warm cup of tea and a good book before turning off the lights.
You’ll feel rejuvenated when your body is not sleep deprived.
Healthy Habit No. 3: The Digital Unplug
Are you addicted to your electronics?
I’m surprised at the number of people who are. In fact, there is a digital addiction hotline for those who are seeking help.
In today’s world, we need our digital devices, but we don’t need them 24/7.
Your health suffers when you never take a break from your device. Studies have shown that stress and anxiety increase the more you’re tied to your device. Your posture is poorer, and you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome in your thumbs and fingers.
Make it a habit this month to unplug and destress from your digital devices each day. Again, like any new habit, take it slowly and build up over time. By the end of the month, you may find that you are free from the constant ding of your device.
January is the month of new beginnings, let it be the month of new healthy habits for you. Start with one of these healthy habits to accomplish this month, then start with the next one, and then the next one. You’ll find yourself achieving one new healthy habit goal after another, which increases your motivation to keep going.
My Resolution Refresh course teaches you five healthy habits over the course of five weeks. Sign up today and make the new year a year of healthy habit achievements.
Make this the year of swapping unhealthy habits for healthier habits.
You can begin here >> Resolution Refresh
