Healthy new year’s resolution ideas – from getting more sleep, to reducing stress, to losing weight -is a great way to improve overall health. Considering setting healthy resolutions? Here are a few to choose from as well as tips for achieving them – plus a quick look at my own personal goals for the next year!
The problem is actually achieving news years resolutions is harder than it sounds. According to Forbes, only 8% of people who set new year’s resolutions actually achieve them!
If you’re interested in improving your overall health this year, here are a few ideas for you, as well as tips so you can actually achieve your goals and make getting healthier in the new year!
Healthy New Year’s Resolution Ideas
Here’s a list of twelve things you can do in the new year to improve your health. Some of them might seem pretty easy to accomplish (but I know it’s not as easy as it might seem), and others will take a little more effort.
I highly recommend adding one or two (or more of these items) to your New Year’s Goals list!
Regular work-outs
Getting in regular workouts can be as easy as hitting a daily step goal, taking a brisk walk, running, riding a bike, or taking a group class. Sometimes group classes are a great way to get extra accountability. I’ve been riding my NordicTrack S22i bike for about two years now and I love it, but I do miss the extra accountability and camaraderie of group classes I used to take.
Increase flexibility
Being more flexible is important to make sure your body can work more efficiently. It can help prevent injuries and increase your muscle blood flow. Five to ten minutes of stretching two to three times a week is an easy way to increase your flexibility on your path to better health.
Drink more water
According to National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, women should drink about 11 cups of healthy fluids per day, and men should drink about 16 cups. The good news is water, tea, coffee, sparkling water, and kombucha count for healthy fluids! The bad news is wine does not. 😀
Increase fruit and veggie consumption
Sadly, only one in ten adults in the US eats enough fruit and veg each day, according to a 2017 study by the CDC. Did you know that women are recommended to eat 1 1 /2 – 2 cups of fruit and 2 -3 cups of vegetables each day?
We’re trying to follow a more seasonal eating style at our house and try to choose in-season fruits and vegetables over out-of season foods. It can be touch to eat healthy, but it can be helpful to make a menu plan and try your best to stick to it. I like to eat a big salad most days but definitely need to eat more fruit, especially in the winter.
Decrease meat consumption
While many of us struggle to eat enough fruits and veggies, eating meat isn’t a struggle. The struggle with eating meat is that in the US, especially, we tend to eat too much. Eating red meat should be limited to only a few times a week and processed meats are best to avoid entirely.
Quit smoking, if you’re a smoker
The best way to maintain a healthy heart is to quit smoking. I’ve never been a smoker, but if you are 2023 might be the time to make a big change!
Cut back on alcohol
While I am not a smoker, I do like my wine. Experts recommend one glass of wine for women per day, a few times a week. This is one area I need to do better at, for sure.
Lose weight
Getting to a healthy weight is a great goal as it greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and more. Maintaining a BMI of 18.5–24.9 is considered healthy.
Reduce stress
Being stress can contribute to all sorts of negative health problems like weight gain, heart issues, high blood pressure, headaches, acne and more. Take proactive steps this year to reduce your stress! Try a mindfulness routine, learn your triggers, and make a more enjoyable life this new year!
Take vitamins
It can be tough to get all the vitamins and minerals we need from healthy eating alone, so take some time to learn which vitamins you may need and start taking them this year. The right vitamins can improve your mood, help prevent headaches, boost your natural immunity, and help with stress and anxiety too!
Get more sleep
Adults are recommended to get at least seven hours of sleep each night! Can you believe that one in three adults doesn’t get enough sleep? Getting enough sleep can improve your immune system, reduce your stress, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Is it time for you to prioritize your sleep this year?
Take a vacation – the best of the Healthy New Year’s Resolution Ideas
My personal favorite of the Healthy New Year’s Resolution Ideas is to take a vacation! Taking vacations is another great way to reduce stress and help keep you healthy. Even taking a staycation is better than leaving work vacation days unused!
4 Tips for Achieving Your Healthy New Years Resolutions
1. Set SMART goals – (specific, measurable, attainable, rewarding, trackable). Think long and hard about what you want to do and why. Do you want to go off a specific medication? Fit into a beloved pair of jeans? Reduce your cholesterol level? Think about why you want to get healthy and then write down a plan for doing so.
2. Add a timeline – You’ve probably heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. I’m not convinced that 21 is the magical number, but three weeks is a doable time frame! Committing to a new routine for three weeks, doesn’t sound so bad, does it? And if after 21 days you need more time to accomplish your goal, add three more weeks!
3. Track Progress – There are lots of ways to track your progress, from using apps to planners, to fitbits – find some way to track your own progress so you can see just how far you’ve come when you need motivation!
4. Involve friends and family – it’s always helpful if you let other people know your goals and ask them to help keep you accountable!
My Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for 2023
- Maintain weight loss – I lost about 35 pounds between 2021 and 2022 and I’d really like to maintain that weight loss. At the end of this year, I feel myself slipping back into some bad habits so it’s time to double down again so I don’t end the next year heavier than this year.
- Complete at least one race per season – I’m starting the year again with a 500 Mile Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge – Last year, I participated in the RAAWC for the first time. I originally signed up to complete 500 miles during the three winter months, which I achieved on my NordicTrack bike. I did such a great job, that I actually bumped up to the next level and managed to completed 850 miles from the first day of winter until the last day of winter! This year, I am committed once again to 500 miles. This year, I’d like to compete at least one race each season.
- Increase flexibility – I’m getting more flexible, but for a long time I couldn’t even sit criss-cross-applesauce – that’s how tight my hip flexors have been. It’s really not good to be that inflexible (I’m convinced it plays a role in the lower back problems I’ve had) and I’ve incorporated more stretching into my daily routine.
- Cut back on alcohol – The longest living populations in the world all drink moderate amounts of alcohol (1-2 drinks per day). I’m on par with that, as I have a real love affair with my red wine. Sometimes it’s hard to stop drinking that wine though – and it certainly contributes to my weight gain.
- Drink more water – I used to drink only water. I’ve since expanded to coffee and red wine as well. Sometimes I like a diet soda. Water has taken a back seat and I need to make sure I up my water intake this year.
I’ve shared my healthy new year’s resolution ideas for 2023. What are yours? And what’s your best tip for not being in the 92% of population that doesn’t achieve their goals?