Goals are a tricky thing. Setting them up is easy, following through is harder, and then actually sticking to them for a long period of time seems almost impossible. We’ll vow to go on a diet and exercise every day, we’ll promise to take much better care of ourselves, and then our initial energy and enthusiasm will quickly wither away after a few weeks or months.
Are you interested in making goals that you can actually stick to permanently? Then you have to set the right ones, and you need to be very realistic about what you can accomplish. To help you out and make it easy to fulfill your promises to yourself, here are some of the things you can do to be healthier in 2019.
Take the stairs
Let’s kick this off with something simple—instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs whenever you can. It’s a very easy thing to incorporate into your daily life, and while it won’t make a huge difference on its own, it tends to stack up with other small changes. For example, you could also start walking instead of driving to every destination that’s within one mile, and you can get up and walk around whenever you want to check your phone. Why not browse through Instagram as you walk around the room or tap your feet in the place? These small things can make a world of difference.
Tidy up your living space
A huge part of a person’s wellbeing is their mental health, and tidying up your home can have a very positive impact on it. If you’re a fan of Marie Kondo, you know that clutter and chaos around our living space create a lot of tension and anxiety, and something as simple as getting up and putting things back in their proper place can ease that stress and make our surroundings a lot more pleasant and productive.
Increase your vitamin intake
Our diet is very important for our health, and improving your vitamin intake can help keep you strong and full of energy. It’s a good idea to stock up on food such as salmon, potatoes, garlic, blueberries, and dark chocolate because they’re very dense with nutrients, but if you’re deficient in something, then taking supplements is important. Consider incorporating a quality magnesium supplement into your daily routine because magnesium supports healthy nerve and muscle function and can improve your immune system. Basically, everyone can benefit from upping its intake. If you like and your doctor feels like it would be beneficial, you can also take a multivitamin supplement.
Eat veggies with your breakfast
Breakfast is a great opportunity to incorporate some veggies into our meal! We tend to stick to pastries, cereal, and other sugar-filled foods, but if you want energy that will last you all day, veggies can provide it. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach can be mixed in with scrambled eggs, for example, or you could take a look at some new recipes and experiment. This way you’ll be getting a big dose of nutrients right from the start, and your whole day will be much easier to handle.
Learn how to make healthy desserts
When sugar cravings hit, we usually turn to cookies, candy, and other sweets that aren’t exactly good for our waistline. To avoid succumbing to those hunger pangs, it’s a good idea to learn how to make healthy desserts that you can eat without any guilt. At the very least, you can keep a cup of Greek yogurt and some berries in the fridge so you can mix them and eat that when you want a tasty treat.
Get an exercise planner
If you keep promising you’ll start exercising tomorrow and telling yourself you’ll do it three times a week, then it’s a good idea to get a planner that will help you stay consistent. Writing down the exact day and time when you have to do your workout will make you more likely to do it, and after that, it’s all about choosing the kind of activity you like. Whether you do running, swimming, home workouts, or football is entirely up to you. If you’re not sure where to start then take yoga into consideration because it’s very soothing and beneficial for anyone.
Ban electronics use after 9 PM
Having trouble sleeping? Then you might want to consider banning your electronics use after 9 PM, particularly if you have the habit of staring at your phone or computer in the evening. The bright glare from our screens can keep us awake even if we’re quite tired, so turning off the gadgets and putting them away until morning is a good idea. This can also help you if you fear you have social media addiction.
Remember, the most beneficial kind of goal is the one you can stick to. Don’t try to do everything perfectly, and don’t give up as soon as you encounter a problem. Take these small steps to improve your health, make sure you incorporate them into your life seamlessly, and you’ll see a huge improvement.
