New Year resolutions are big this time of year, especially for those who want to make changes in their lives this year. So, if you aren’t sure where to start, here are 15 ideas of easy, but meaningful, changes one can make:
- Eat more fish. Fishes help children sleep better and improve IQs by up to four points when eaten every week. And because of the high level of Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, it can be linked to lower rates of heart disease.
- Make meaningful connections. An increasing amount of people feel lonely, which takes a toll on the mental and physical health. While you can have many friends and still feel lonely, talking about your feelings with others can provide social support.
- Go to bed early. Poor sleep is linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression, according to the health experts. Create a self-imposed bedtime, set an alarm as a reminder, and aim to hit the hay in time to get a solid seven to eight hours of sleep.
- Volunteer. Giving your time can lower blood pressure, and even helps those who volunteer frequently live longer. Give your time and effort
- Give up carbonated drinks (yes, even diet coke). While some opt to drink calorie-free beverages for weight-loss purposes, a recent study indicated that people who regularly consumed diet soft drinks are at risk for dementia or stroke.
- Hit the gym. Aside from all the obvious reasons—weight loss and heart diseases, research has shown that exercising is good for your brain, too. It improves memory and slow aging.
- Don’t eat after 9 p.m. Yes, you’ve heard this many times before, late-night snacking goes against our biological clocks. A study from earlier this year indicated that eating later in the evening could increase your heart disease risk and don’t forget the tummy fat.
- Pick up a book. Reading is good for your brain, and can enrich your social skills.
- Eat salad once a week. research say that eating leafy greens weekly could keep your brain up to 11 years younger.
- Spend more time outside. Enjoy nature and green space more as it can help lower stress and may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Use social media less. It’s good to be connected, but too much time online could be bad for your mental health.Research has shown that children and teens in particular may have lower self esteem due to social media’s influence. Limit how much time you spend each day and replace that online time with something much more creative.
- Save for the future. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day expenses, but saving for your financial future is important. Utilize your library for books, and immediately transfer the money you saved into a separate account.
