The new year has begun, 2016 is yet another "new start." Many people start out the new year with a "new year's resolution." Some of these also sound cliché, overused or boring, but these cliché resolutions are actually some of the best ones out there for you.
1. Go to the gym more often.
Get out of bed, sign off of Netflix and get yourself to the gym. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult need 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week, along with a couple days of strength training. Not only will hitting the gym help you lose a few pounds, work on those abs you dream of or reach a PR but it has mental heath benefits too.
Most of us are stressed out college students, or adults living in the real world with a 9-5 job that you may or may not hate. Exercise reduces stress, takes the edge of anxiety and boosts those happy chemicals in your body (also known as endorphins.) Those three reasons alone should be enough to convince you to hit the gym as your new year's resolution.
Dedicate this year to going to the gym more often. To improving your physical and mental health.
2. Go outside of your comfort zone.
Go outside of your comfort zone. It is a new year, try new things. Take the year to discover new things about yourself, but to do this you may have to take a step out of your comfort zone. Whether it's cliff diving, trying a new food or going out somewhere different, go for it. Trying new things helps you discover your own self, how are you going to know what you do or do not like without trying it?
Dedicate this year to being adventurous, live on the edge and go outside of your comfort zone.
3. Eat healthier.
This is inevitably one of the most common New Year's resolutions, along with one of the most difficult to follow through with. Sure, we would all love to eat healthy, it's just difficult when Mcdonald's is right down the street, making a faster and cheaper option for your next meal.
Dedicate this year to eating healthy. Take the time to prepare your own healthy meals, or pick a healthier option while out to eat. Eating healthy benefits your body, including boosting your mood, controlling your weight, combatting diseases and there are endless other benefits.
4. Get more sleep.
We all want more sleep, we can just never find the time for it. In reality, we have plenty of time and opportunities to get more sleep. However, instead of hitting the sack an hour early, we binge watch Netflix for three hours before bed, or maybe you procrastinate starting your homework until 10 PM.
Turn off the cell phone, log off of Netflix, start your homework at a decent time, relax and go to sleep. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Most teenagers and adults don't get enough sleep which causes a variety of consequences. When you don't get enough sleep you're adding stress to your body, decreasing your alertness and ability to focus and setting your body up for other health issues.
Dedicate this year to getting more sleep. Use your time wisely and go to sleep earlier, rest up and benefit your body and mind.
5. Cut out the toxic things in your life.
This one is pretty broad. Cut out the toxic things in your life. This could range from quitting smoking to cutting out the toxic people in your life, whether it be a boyfriend, friend or just an acquaintance. Take a minute to consider what weighs you down in your own life. Forget about the other people's feeling or temporary consequences momentarily. There are definitely people or habits that are worth cutting from your life to better yourself.
Dedicate this year to a new you. A better, healthier, happier you.
6. Spend more time with family.
Mom, dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces or nephews. Spend more time with your family this year. Your family is your main support system, no matter what happens they will be there for you, even if you haven't been over to see them in the past five years.
Luckily, if they live far away we are in the era of phone calls, text messages and Facetime. There really is no excuse to not keep up with your blood related friends. Make the effort to become closer with your family this year, go to Sunday brunch with grandma or call Auntie Sue every Tuesday.
Dedicate this year to family, to your forever support system.
Dedicate this year to yourself. They six resolutions are all pretty small, simple tasks so why not follow through with all of them? Follow through with these six cliché new year's resolutions to better yourself.
