10 wellness tips for the new year

With the new year comes new goals, things to do, job changes or any other significant events that may come your way. As busy as the year gets, it’s essential to take time out for yourself for your mental and physical well-being. So here’s your opportunity to make a change, and here to get you started are 10 new year wellness tips…

1. Set goals

Let’s face it – we all think of many things we want to do, but when it actually comes down to following through, other things get in the way, or we simply forget over time. To avoid this from happening, the best thing you can do is to set clear goals. That includes both short term – in the day, week or month and long-term goals – in the year or even into the next few. Ticking off those tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you on track with everything you want to do.

2. Maintain a soothing environment

How the space we spend most of our time looks affects our mental peace and calmness. So this is a good time to clear out your space and create one that nurtures wellness and a clearer headspace. You can organise and categorise your things, put them away in boxes, redecorate your room or even bring some nature in by adding a few plants to the mix. Having a soothing environment is said to reduce stress levels and helps with finding inner peace.

3. Create a dedicated workspace

With most of us working from home these days, this is a big one that we should all include in our New Year wellness tips. Say no to sitting in bed and working and create a space that is solely dedicated to your work as you would have in a traditional office setup. This not only helps boost productivity but will give you a clear sense of work time and home time.

4. Prioritise your diet

There are so many benefits to eating a well-balanced diet, one that has a good proportion of carbs, proteins, fats and veggies and fruits. This will ensure that your body gets the essential macro- and micro-nutrients to fuel your day. Eating better will give you more energy, detoxify your body and even help you sleep better. Choosing a better diet should also include drinking enough water.

5. Exercise regularly

Even just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can make a huge difference to how you look and feel. Exercise is known to release endorphins – the feel-good hormone and decrease cortisol levels – your stress hormones. This is one of the reasons you feel like you have more energy and like you’re in a better mood after exercising. Whether walking, gymming or even stretching at your desk, carve some time out of your schedule to move your body and get your blood flowing.

6. Take breaks

One of the new year health tips needed for us all, especially when staying at home is the norm, is to take plenty of breaks. Whether it is from office work or housework, taking short breaks throughout the day will help you recharge your batteries to start again with a fresh mind. If you feel fatigued and have a foggy mind, a short break may positively impact your mind and the work you’re doing. Sip on a cup of tea, get some fresh air on the balcony, go for a walk, talk to a loved one or do anything that disconnects you from the task at hand so you can go back feeling your 100% again.

7. Give time to your hobbies

Doing something you love is a big part of self-care. It not only keeps you active during your downtime but it’s also a chance to learn something new, enrich your life, de-stress and improve your mood. Whatever your hobby may be, try giving it more time this year, and you will see a noticeable difference in how you feel.

Also Read: 8 self-care tips to get through lockdown

8. Take care of your eyes

Healthy tips for 2022 must include one for our eyes in the age of technology. Everything we do is now in front of a digital screen. From using our phones to play games or watching Netflix on our laptops to working our nine-to-five jobs in front of a computer screen, the average person spends a lot more time on digital devices than we ever have. This exposes us to harmful blue light that is emitted from these devices, which is the cause of eye strain, headaches, loss of focus and could lead to long-term eye problems. To counter this, you could invest in anti-blue light glasses that protect your eyes by only allowing the good light through. The other way to do it is to take a break from your devices. Before bedtime, put away your devices for at least an hour or two before drifting off to sleep. It will help your sleep cycle too!

9. Have a sleep schedule

Creating a regular sleep schedule where you wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day – even on the weekends – can help you sleep better. This routine adjusts our internal clock and prepares the body to go to sleep, so when the allotted time comes around, the body knows that it is time to sleep, and you will naturally start to feel drowsy. This will eventually lead to better and more restful sleep so you can wake up each morning feeling fresh.

10. Start something new

Taking up something new is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and get excited. It gives you a chance to learn, pick up new skills, challenge yourself, develop a new habit, gain a new perspective and just have fun! So if you are feeling demotivated or too comfortable in your routine, a great way to break out of that mindset is to start doing something new.