A new year is a great time to reflect and think about your year as a whole and to set goals and intentions. Setting intentions that focus on changes you want to make in yourself is a great way to start fresh for the upcoming year (or any time of year). Living a balanced, happy life starts with taking care of yourself.
Think about the things you want to do more of, things you want to work towards eliminating or changing. Set intentions and goals around those and start to create habits and practices that support those.
With all goals and intentions, aim to keep them specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-keyed.
Below are a few ideas of goals you can set for yourself to get you inspired. Choose a few from this list to implement into your year, or create some of your own.
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- Get outside everyday: Time outdoors refreshes the mind, gives you more energy and exposure to the famous Vitamin D.
- Unplug 1 hour before sleep: Technology is great. But what it does at night is not great. Your phone distracts you, keeps you awake, and stimulates your brain—delaying REM sleep. Put the phone and other screens away an hour before you want to fall asleep so that you can fall asleep easier and sleep better.
- Set boundaries: Personal boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves as individuals in relationships. Setting and sustaining boundaries is a skill that many of us don’t learn. When it comes to setting and maintaining boundaries, start small and be clear and direct when sharing your boundaries with others. If you need help with setting and maintaining boundaries, seek help. We are here and can help you develop and plan and skills to make it easier.
- Say No: Saying “NO” is a form of self care. It can be hard to say no, but it is an important skill to practice in order to take care of yourself. When you prioritize your needs and put yourself first, saying no becomes easier and actually feels good.
- Practice daily gratitude: The practice of daily gratitude can quickly shift your perspective onto what is going well in your world and lead you to better appreciate what you have in your life. Simply write down 3-5 things each day that you are grateful for, and instantly see your perspective and mood shift. They don’t have to be big things. The little things can sometimes mean the most.
- Fuel your body well: a well-rounded diet can fuel your body and mind. Try to consume vegetables, fruit, and lean proteins each day. Aim to make half of each plate you eat fruits and vegetables.
- Drink more water: We all can probably use more hydration. Aim to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water. Weigh 150 pounds? That’s 75oz. of water.
- Be more aware of your stressors: Stress is inevitable. Trying to avoid stress should not be your goal. Learning how to deal with stress and anxiety when it comes up should be. Grab a journal or piece of paper and write down how you are feeling and what is stressing you out. Sometimes just getting your feelings out can help them feel less overwhelming. It can also help you recognize trends and make changes to help reduce your stressors when possible.
Remember that everyone needs a little help sometimes. Whether for yourself, for your child, or for your relationship, there are seasons where it’s best to seek outside help. We are here for you. We help people like you.
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