2018 has come and with it, a whole new wave of motivation and inspiration to kick it off on the right foot. New Year’s Resolutions are a great opportunity to start making positive changes in your life; but with great reward comes great work. Below we discuss 7 of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions and how to achieve them.
- Get In Shape
- Meet New People
- Pay Off Debt
- Quit Smoking
- Read More
- Learn A New Skill
- Go See A Doctor More Often
Perhaps the most common New Year’s Resolution of all is to get in shape. Losing weight, exercising more, and eating healthy all fall under the very broad subject. With so many moving parts and a busy life, it’s no wonder we all vow to ourselves again each new year that we’re going to get in shape. Our 2 top tips to do so: follow-through and forgive. Follow through with your resolution – even if it’s just a 5 minute walk that day or eating an apple, it’s enough to maintain the habit of getting fit. And most importantly, forgive yourself. Not every day is going to be your best workout or healthiest meal. Forgive yourself and move forward. There’s no time like the present to start again.
It’s easy to get stuck in the same pattern. Going out with the same handful of people and doing the same thing. What’s worse, is if your close knit group is unavailable it becomes even easier to stay home alone flipping through the tv. Meeting new people is a mentally and emotionally rewarding resolution. Joining a new recreational sports team or taking free classes at your local community centre are an easy way to connect and meet with people who share similar interests and values. So go on, get out there!
Finances are always a scary thought – and most of us don’t know how to tackle them properly. The easiest solution? Book a consultation with a Financial Advisor at your bank. Don’t be scared to ask the experts for help. Along the way, there are a multitude of free apps that are designed to help budget your money and tell you where it’s going. Finding out where you’re putting your money is an easy way to find areas to scale back in and you can apply those savings to your debt!
Now more than ever we know the negative effects of smoking so quitting smoking is perhaps the most apt resolution for 2018. An important way to drop a habit is to find a new, healthy habit to take it’s place to boost your endorphins. Feel like lighting up? Make yourself a cup of tea instead. Craving your 10 minute smoke break from the office? Take it anyway and go for a light walk around the block instead!
Exercising your body is one important way to stay healthy – but so is exercising your mind. Vowing to read more is a great resolution to keep yourself sharp. Our tip to achieving this? Read anything! A news article, your favourite athlete’s biography, or a book of poetry, whatever it is you read the easiest way to stick to your resolution is if you enjoy it.
Life is busy and many of us can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day that we neglect ourselves in lieu of responsibilities we deem more important. A great resolution this year is focusing on some personal development. Look up local listings for free classes around your city or one of the many free apps only a Google search away! Learning a new skill is a great way to treat yourself to some “me” time. The key? Prioritize your schedule around your “me” time. Commit the same hour or two every day to the task you want to tackle and schedule the rest of your day around it. After all, who is more important than you?
Face your fear of the doctor or dentist and schedule that routine physical or dental cleaning, regardless of how healthy you feel. Staying in tune with your body and ensuring you are at your optimal health should always be a priority. To maximize your appointments, be open and honest with your health care professional. Challenge yourself to tell them something about your health that you wouldn’t have last year!
Whatever your New Year’s Resolution is this year, stay focused and stick to it. All your hard work will be worth it!