The beginning of a new year is often a time for the infamous "New Year's Resolutions," which are often abandoned by the end of January. It is an unfortunate cycle that regularly ends in failure and lowered self-esteem. People often resolve to live healthier lives by eating better and exercising more, which is something hard to maintain. Instead of resolutions doomed to fail, we are far better off developing new habits. A habit can be bad, but it can also be good.

In a study by psychologist Roy Baumeister , it was discovered that willpower is finite, meaning that we can run out of it. That is why after a long day at work people are more likely to eat unhealthy food and lay down. They have run out of fuel. The good news is, will-power is also like a muscle. The more it is used and practiced, the bigger your "willpower fuel tank." When it comes to good habits, practice really does make perfect. Here are five excellent habits worth developing in this coming year.

Stretching.

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While exercise is important, so is stretching. Starting and ending everyday with some simple stretches increases blood flow, helps deliver nutrients to your muscles, and boosts oxygen levels. It also removes waste such as uric acid, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. According to an article on the surprising benefits of stretching on U.S. News.com, it can help with common diseases like diabetes and depression as well. If nothing else, starting and ending your day with some stretches can make you feel better. For more information on stretching, visit the article linked here.

Joy jar.

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A fun craft to create is a "Joy Jar". Using a jar or container of some kind, throughout the year you slowly fill it with little scraps of paper containing events that left you feeling blessed and happy. For example, on March 5th, 2016 someone paid for my coffee in the drive thru. On May 10th, 2016, my students made me "Get Well Soon" cards. It was easy and fun to come home daily and add little bits of paper to the jar. On some days I added up to 6 or 7 new blessings, on others it was a struggle to add even 1. In August I had to find a bigger jar. It was a great exercise that truly helped me to have a more positive outlook on life, and I believe it will help others have a great year too.

Reading regularly.

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They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what about a book a week? The benefits to reading regularly are uncanny, as any avid bookworm can tell you. Along with increased memory, critical thinking, and a better vocabulary, those who read more often have been shown to have a lower risk of Alzheimer's, stronger writing skills, and better focus skills. It's also free entertainment thanks to libraries. While binge-watching Netflix can be fun, trust me when I say reading is well worth your while.

Have a planner/schedule.

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A large part of being an organized and successful adult is having a schedule. Planning things out in advance gives us a sense of control and confidence that many young adults lack in this day and age. In addition to helping avoid scheduling conflicts, having a planner and regular routine helps to establish good habits. The key to stretching every morning and reading regularly is having a set time to do those things. Making it part of a routine is what it usually takes to make change happen.

Balancing social and alone time.

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Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, it is imperative to have a healthy balance of social interaction and independent reflection. Make it a point to schedule out times to see loved ones as well as times to yourself, because both are equally important. It's all about balance, and developing healthy habits. With these five small but effective changes, this new year can be better than any before.