As we roll into a new year, a lot of us have or are setting new goals specific to improving our health and wellbeing.
Here are seven things you can do in 2022 to help you get the best start to your best year.
1. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
For things to change positively, you must also increase your responsibility.
Whether you’re trying to improve your health, find love, finish school, or start a business, you need to embrace a CEO mindset for your own life.
“If it’s to be, it’s up to me!”
2. CREATE A BEDTIME ROUTINE
Irregular sleep schedules are associated with a change in the circadian rhythms similar to the jet lag you experience after travelling westward 2-3 time zones.
- Start with these helpful tips:
- Set an alarm to go to bed, not just wake up!
- Reduce screen time
- Dim your evening lights
- Take a hot shower or sauna
3. WALK MORE
This simple rule ensures that we will be more active.
One thousand steps is about ten minutes walking.
Make a rule to not sit down for more than one hour.
Take the stairs. Park further from the grocery store. Aim for 10,000 steps a day.
Benefits include:
- improved immune system
- decreased food cravings
- decreased blood pressure
- improved longevity
- improved mood
- decreased joint pain
4. GET MORE SUNLIGHT
Early sunlight exposure first thing in the morning is essential for winding our body’s internal clock and calibrating high-quality sleep at the day’s end.
Surprise bonus: It also correlates with healthier body weight!
5. ACKNOWLEDGE SOMETHING YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR EACH DAY
This is a straightforward yet very powerful exercise.
At the end of every day, write down a positive experience that you’ve had.
- What have you done today to make someone happy?
- Has someone done something for you?
- Have you learned anything?
- What are you grateful for?
Positive psychology research has shown that people who do this exercise each day for one week will have improved life satisfaction. They are happier, calmer, and notice decreased feelings of depression.
People even report less sickness and better sleep!
Make this a regular practice, and you will notice a huge shift in your health.
6. FIT IN MORE ME-TIME
Take 15 minutes in your schedule each day to focus on yourself.
If you think there’s no way I can do that! That’s a sign that you need to prioritize it.
This can be taking a bath, reading a book, or grabbing coffee at a local café.
Follow these criteria:
- It must be something you enjoy
- It can’t involve your phone or computer
- Do NOT feel guilty about it
7. READ OR LISTEN TO A PODCAST
Consume information that can be educational, informative and transformative.
This can be anything you find interesting.
If you’re unsure where to start, we recommend listening to this one or Dr Gareth’s personal podcast “The Awareness Jam”.
