We all hear and read the cliché, “New Year, New You” at this time of year. But it is a statement that bears so much truth. We all aim to improve ourselves at the beginning of the year. Why? Because it seems like a fresh start and an opportunity to do things a little better than the previous year. Focusing on improving wellbeing is a great way to set the tone for a positive New Year.

Wellbeing encompasses so many aspects of one’s life, including health, nutrition, fitness, mindset, family and social life. By improving your wellbeing, you are giving yourself an opportunity to thrive and be the best version of yourself. Here are ten goals to benefit your wellbeing.

1. Drink More Water

Water is the source of life and many of us don’t drink enough of it. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps your body work effectively, clears your mind and allows all systems in your body to work the way they are supposed to. Aim to drink at least two litres of water per day, throughout the day, and see how your wellbeing improves.

2. Eat More Plants

Nutrition experts are shifting their focus from meat or fish being the main event of every meal to plants taking centre stage. Eating more plants will help your body digest quicker, will help you lose weight and will make you feel generally healthier. Aim to eat more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal.

3. Aim To Do Some Exercise Daily

Daily exercise is one of the foremost ways to reduce risk for chronic diseases. It also doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day is enough. This could be walking to the shops, taking the stairs, doing the gardening. For best results, this should be combined with more vigorous intensity exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, three to five times per week.

4. Practice Mindfulness

 mindfulness can be meditation, journaling, or even sitting quietly and reflecting inward. Take time to be by yourself in a quiet place and focus on your breathing. Even ten minutes can make you feel rejuvenated and more content.

5. Do What Makes You Happy Daily

We often just go through the motions when it comes to daily life, never really appreciating what we have and how precious each day is. By doing something that makes you happy every day, you give yourself a chance to focus on enjoyment rather than simply getting through each day. Think about a few things that really set your soul alight and include them in each day, even if it’s only for half an hour at a time.

6. Determine Personal Values And Live By Them

The same way that a business has a set of values, so should we. Determine your personal values, write them down and make a point to live by them. They will give you a sense of moral value that can guide all your decisions and actions.

7. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude breeds more things to be grateful for. When you shift your focus to one of gratitude, you naturally start to find more things to be grateful for. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget about the small wonders that contribute to our every day. Stop and focus on all the things you have that you can be grateful for. It will change your outlook on life for the better almost immediately.

8. Stay Offline One Day Per Week

Giving yourself a social media and technology detox will help you realign and focus your energy. We get very distracted by technology and social media can also cause us to start comparing ourselves to others, which can lead to feelings of unworthiness or despondency. Focus on the real world around you for one day to give yourself a break from the online world.

9. Do An Email Inbox Cleanse

Clearing out the clutter of your email inbox is a liberating experience. Create folders for different categories of work and delete what you don’t need. You might find that it makes you feel lighter and even happier. Do this regularly to stay on top of it.

10. Book Me Days Every Month

We often don’t dedicate enough time to our own self-care. By booking me days every month, you force yourself to take time out for yourself to relax and unwind. Book a pamper session or even pamper yourself at home. Me days can be anything from having a face masque, to taking time to read a book, to going for a long walk on the beach. Do something that makes you feel like you are offering yourself some self-love.

Resources: http://projectentrepreneur.org/; https://psychcentral.com/

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash