4 Ways to Make the Typical New Year's Resolutions into Lifestyle Changes for your Health
The new year has arrived, but welcoming 2020 doesn’t just close the door on 2019 - we’re saying goodbye to a whole decade and jumping into a brand new one full of opportunity for change and growth! Closing the chapter of 2019 invites a lot of reflection, which gives way to thinking about the promise and hope of the year to come - as such, new year’s resolutions are on a lot of people’s minds now.
Orienting your resolution towards improving your health is a great way to jump-start good habits concerning your mind and body. While they can be exciting for some people, we know how resolutions can also be anxiety-inducing given how daunting or challenging they can seem.
Which is why we’re here to help you with resolutions you won’t dread!
Exercising (But Not the Kind You Hate)
Often people will tell themselves that they’ll sign up for a gym membership or dedicate a certain amount of days to hit the treadmill, and while that may work for some folks, that’s an unrealistic goal for others.
What a lot of people forget is that exercising comes in many forms! Whether it’s walking around your neighborhood, hiking your favorite trail, or dancing with your friends, getting your heart pumping and muscles working doesn’t have to be a bummer. Think about the kind of movement that brings you excitement and joy - consider a resolution based around that instead.
After all, exercising for at least 30 minutes a day (which can be broken up in 10-minute increments if that’s more manageable) 5 times a week helps reduce your risk of cancer.
Realistic Food Goals
Given its vast health and environmental benefits, going vegan or deciding to eat a plant-based diet is something we frequently discuss here at NTR. While we wish everyone would make the change tomorrow, we understand how intimidating it can be - especially if you don’t live in a place where it’s accessible for you.
Considering how much eating plant-based decreases your risk of cancer, making any dietary changes in this direction is going to improve your health. If eliminating dairy from your diet isn’t feasible, try going vegetarian! If cutting out meat entirely isn’t an option, try eating it only for dinner or eating plant-based on certain days.
Lots of vegans and plant-based eaters will likely tell you that they didn’t get to where they are overnight. Reducing animal product consumption gradually is much more sustainable than making a radical shift in a rapid period of time, and we don’t want to see you abandon your resolution after a week! Who knows - 2020 could be the year you go vegetarian and 2021 could be when you go vegan!
Kick the Plastic Habit
Plastic is bad news for not just the planet but also for our bodies. Zero waste seems like an impossible attainment for many, but just like with food, we can make small, incremental changes that lead to larger ones.
As you risk putting toxins directly into your body when you eat or drink with plastic, first consider using a reusable bottle and/or utensils when you’re nomming on the go. If you’ve already gotten into that rad habit, try keeping reusable containers (glass, tin) on your person or in your car to avoid putting leftover food in plastic at restaurants. Slowly but surely you can switch out plastic in your kitchen as well!
Given that so many people are still unaware of plastic’s harmful effects on our health, spreading the word and educating others about this could be a great resolution for the new year as well. Because its dangerous effects aren’t easily visible, your friends and family might roll their skeptical eyes if they hear or read about plastic reduction, but they might rethink their plastic habits if the news comes from you!
Slow Down and Breathe
Many resolutions revolve around moving or doing something, but practicing stillness, rest, and mindfulness is also very important when it comes to your health. Not getting enough sleep will increase your risk of cancer, so if you’re a workaholic perhaps being mindful of how much rest you’re getting is a good goal for 2020.
Additionally, practicing gratitude and mindfulness awards many health benefits! We’re often too focused on the next thing that we’re not staying present enough and being thankful for the time and space that we have right now - and our bodies and quality of life can suffer for it.
Meditating daily or weekly can help bring that sense of awareness to your life. If you’re new to the concept or don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, consider downloading some guided meditation apps that will walk you through the practice.
Resolutions shouldn’t have to be scary! If they’re not fun for you, it’s unlikely that you’ll be doing it through to the next New Year’s Eve.
Let us know which sustainable resolutions you’re going to be making for yourself this year!
kathleen kane
kathleen is a queer, vegan, witchy feminist who loves talking about the environment, raising awareness of the importance of self-care, and practicing positive and non-hierarchical forms of activism. Her work - both in the library and on the streets - centers marginalized folx, primarily focusing on food justice and prison abolitionism. As a proud literary nerd who studied English and French at UCLA, she enjoys reading everything from Oscar Wilde to Octavia Butler and Jack Halberstam to adrienne maree brown.