New Year, New You - The Best Resolutions for 2021

As the final days of the year slip away, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection on the highs and lows of the year and a time of excitement for what’s to come. It’s a time of year when people around the world set New Year’s resolutions, goals to lose weight, work harder, and spend more time with family. While these are all good goals, it’s important to take some time to reflect on your New Year’s resolution list and make a plan for achieving your goals.

Setting New Year’s Goals

It’s commonly said that a goal without a plan is just a wish, and as you think back to years gone by, it’s easy to become discouraged by the New Year’s resolutions you haven’t met. This year, creating a plan to reach your goals gives you a clear path to success. As you reflect on your New Year’s resolution list, make sure your goals are SMART goals. Rather than just saying that you’re going to spend more time with your kids, set New Year’s goals to eat a family dinner together five nights a week, go on one bike ride together each weekend, and take a trip to somewhere local this summer. By creating a specific, measurable, and realistic plan, you’re more likely to accomplish your goals.

    Holistic Goal Setting

Don’t limit your New Year’s resolutions to trite and common ones. To bring more health and peace into your year, create holistic goals, ones that encompass your body, mind, and spirit. Thinking of these different areas will help you get creative and specific with your New Year’s resolution list. 

    Set Physical Resolutions for Your Health

Most New Year’s goals for physical health are limited to vague ideas about exercising and losing weight. To achieve these goals, consider setting SMART goals that are achievable. Consider some of the following goals for a healthier year:

• Drink eight glasses of water each day. Use a large water bottle to help you measure this goal.
• Sleep for seven-eight hours each night, and set a time to shut off your phone to help you get a peaceful night’s sleep.
• Get moving every day. With smart watches and devices, it’s easy to set a step goal and track your progress.

    Focus on Your Mind

Too often, our minds can get overlooked, but just like our physical bodies, they need to be exercised and challenged. Set mental goals this year to keep your mind sharp and improve your mental health.

• Read more this year. Find a genre you like, join a book club, or try to read a certain amount of time before bed.
• Switch up your TV watching by adding in a monthly documentary that will increase your knowledge of the world around you.
• Sign up for a class. Many websites and community groups offer classes on everything from cooking to photography.

    Take Care of Your Spirit

After the stresses of the past year and the rush of the holidays, your inner self could probably use a little rest and rejuvenation. Consider how you can take care of your energy in the coming year.

• Spend time outside this year, whether you’re discovering local parks, going for a daily walk, or bringing the outdoors inside with plants for the home. 
• Consider taking a social media break. Without the constant reminders of what others are doing or time wasted by scrolling, you’ll have more time for what’s important and will likely experience newfound tranquility.
• While most people have heard of meditation, for many, the practice seems too religious or limited to monks, but meditating doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Consider spending a few minutes of your day meditating with the Calm or Insight Timer app, and see how a brief moment of meditation can affect your whole day.

As you make your New Year’s resolution, remember to keep them simple yet specific, and make sure to remember your body, mind, and spirit as you look forward to growth in the new year. By taking time to create a plan, you’ll be starting the year off on the right foot.