With all that has been going on ever since the emergence of covid-19, life has been pretty miserable for most of us. People are more anxious than ever and this has significantly contributed to the increase in the number of people suffering from severe depression.
But despite all these ups and downs that we have been through, it is always better to look forward to newer goals and ambitions instead of being stuck with the past. That too when the year is almost coming to an end.
So, to help you start off the New Year with a bang, we have listed down some resolutions that you can make use of in the coming year.
Meditate
Meditation is a medically proven way of curing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. If you, like many others, have had a particularly difficult time this year, then we suggest that you sign up for a meditation class.
In case you do not have the means or the time to enrol yourself in such classes, you can always look up various ways of performing meditation with the help of Google.
Meditating even once a day can turn out to be extremely healing for you, especially if you have issues with extreme anxiety and depression.
Other benefits of meditating include better self-control and the ability to take precise decisions actively.
Get a Hobby
Life can get very hectic from time to time. So why not get a hobby to keep yourself occupied when things start to get overwhelming?
Study shows that hobbies can turn out to be extremely therapeutic for people who have a lot on their plate. Reading books in your free time for example can help to de-stress you.
You can also start gardening, knitting, writing, photography, hiking, cooking or doing any other activity that can distract you from all your worries.
Eat Healthy
With so many fitness influencers on Instagram these days, people have finally started to take care of their eating habits. If you have been depending entirely on junk food lately, now might be a good time to finally start getting those nutritious fruits, veggies and other sorts of proteins into your diet.
What’s more, eating healthy also helps you to stay fit and keeps you active for longer hours.
Exercise
The benefits of exercising are numerous. Not only does it help to elevate your overall mood, but it also helps you to lose those extra calories. A good thing about exercising is that it helps you to eliminate certain health risks related to the heart, muscles and bones.
However, if exercising is not your cup of tea, you can stay fit by walking for around 30 minutes every day or meet a 6000-10,000 step count every day!
Read Books
A lot of people prefer reading books over socializing with people. Have you ever wondered why? – it is because the joy you get from reading a good book is far better than any time spent doing something else.
So, for your new year’s resolutions, you can surely add reading books at the top of your list because it will enhance your knowledge and help you kill time a lot better.
Perhaps you can also make this resolution a bit more specific by adding a number beside it. For example, if you have read 10 books this year, aim for 20 for the next.
Do Not Procrastinate
Procrastination gets in the way of a lot of things. Especially when you have to meet deadlines at the office or your educational institution.
And to be honest, we all struggle with this issue. Therefore, try to be more mindful of your surroundings this year and make yourself a to-do list.
The list will be a reminder for you to stay active and help you complete your tasks in no time! You can also give yourself certain rewards after completing each task to keep you motivated.
Keep a Journal
Journaling is a good way of expressing your emotions when you are unable to do so in real life. It also helps you to appreciate the good things in life, especially if you are consistent with the habit.
Plus, it is a very healthy way of coping with stress and negative emotions. A good example can be writing down your negative feelings instead of lashing out in front of your coworkers at the office.
According to most people who journal, creating a ‘Things I am Grateful For’ list in your journal every day can help you appreciate things a lot better. It also helps you stay grateful for the good things you have going on in your life, even when situations go bad.
Set Goals
It is hard as it is to work towards progress. However, it is even harder when you don’t have any goals set for yourself.
Hence, if you want to make the coming year a lot more productive than this one, start setting goals for yourself.
Note that it is not necessary for you to only list down your ultimate goals in life. You can also list down smaller things like waking up early, participating in a competition, getting good grades this semester etc.
Learn New Skills
It is never too late to learn a new set of skills. In fact, sometimes it can even make your CV look good! Learning a new language for example can be a good set of skills for anyone. You can even take up dancing, knitting, or even singing if you like.
Be Kind to Yourself
Lastly, be kind to yourself. If things aren’t looking up right now, there is no need to be harsh on yourself because, at the end of the day, it will get better.
Therefore, it is okay if this year hasn’t lived up to your expectations. Set these resolutions for the upcoming year and work through them accordingly. Do not forget to take a breather every once in a while when things don’t work out the way you want them to. You will persevere!
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash