18 Good New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Keep in 2018
Resolutions can be impractical, extreme, and, well, unreliable. When setting goals like New Year’s resolutions, start with a goal that’s small, simple, and attainable - and when you reach that goal, keep going!
Here are 18 super simple healthy New Year’s resolutions that you can actually keep through the year:
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Nontraditional exercise
No membership, no fee, just a healthier lifestyle.
1. Take the stairs
A lot of the time it ends up being faster than the elevator, and you can add some cardio into your day on your way to class.
2. Park farther away
This simple change can add some extra fitness into your schedule. Whether you’re driving to class or the grocery store, pick a parking spot that’s farther from the building to get some extra steps in.
3. Stretch
Loosen up in the morning or at night with some relaxing stretches. (Fitnessblender.com has some great short stretch workout routines.)
Nutrition
4. Eat breakfast
Notice it doesn’t say eat a healthy spinach omelet or a green juice for breakfast, it says eat breakfast. Whatever you like for breakfast, be it pizza, a PopTart, cereal, or a fruit smoothie, just make it a goal to eat something each day for breakfast. Of course, the healthier the better, but something is better than nothing!
5. Drink more water
This is a great way to support a healthy lifestyle that is super easy. Buy a cute stylish water bottle (like this one!) and carry it with you wherever you go. If you’re not used to drinking a lot of water, make it a goal to drink one or two bottles a day, and keep building from there.
6. Drink less soda
Your resolution doesn’t have to be that you’ll never drink soda again. If you like soda, then drink it, but drink it in moderation. Replace some of your soda with a healthier juice or water.
7. Eat less sugar
This is as simple as reading a label. Check nutrition labels for sugar content and start buying foods with less sugar. Choose natural sugars like those found in fruit instead of candy or sweets.
8. Cut down on fast food
Make a weekly limit on how often you can eat fast food, and don’t cheat!
9. Practice portion control
Buy smaller plates and only eat one serving of food - or if you want to be really technical, measure out how much of each food group to stay within the daily recommended amounts.
For the mind
10. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a positive psychology practice where you basically learn to focus on nothing but the present. It has amazing benefits for the brain and for your mental well-being.
11. Go on vacation
It doesn’t matter how far you go! Just relax and treat yo self.
12. Make new friends
Start small. Introduce yourself to one person in a class, once a week. After a while, maybe you’ll have the courage to join a club or get involved in another way!
13. Get more sleep
Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier than normal, then 30, then 45…
14. Practice meditation
Similar to mindfulness, this will help you rejuvenate after a long day.
15. Learn time management
Step one: buy a planner. Step two: actually use said planner.
16. Clean
Make time to take daily breaks from studying and clean out your closet or wash some dishes while you watch your favorite show. Doing a little bit every day will make keeping your space clean and organized that much easier!
17. Cut down on social media use
Prioritize your daily tasks and put social media low on the list. Use it as a reward rather than a time filler.
18. Volunteer more
Doing service is associated with happiness - don’t we all want a little more of that? Find a club on campus that does volunteer work and join!