Stay Up-To-Date On News | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

10 Ways To Better Ourselves In The New Year

It's time for the new year, new you.

162
girl eating fruit salad

In This Article:

Everyone hopes to better themselves, especially with a new year rolling around. As new year gives us new opportunities to become the best version of ourselves we've ever dreamed possible, there are plenty of places to start. Whether it starts with the world around you or within yourself, there are numerous ways to better yourself right now.

Stay Up-To-Date On News

Giphy

Keeping up with the news is one of the best ways you can be a well-rounded individual who is aware of what's happening in your community and the world around you. With informative, free apps like "USA Today" and access to every news channel's apps, it's easier than ever to stay in-the-know. Even if you aren't a fan of a printed newspaper or don't have enough time to watch live news on T.V. you can still find other ways to find your daily news. Just be sure you're not relying solely on social media apps or your friends for all your news sources and be sure to always question the news you hear before believing it.

Start An Exercise Routine

person wearing orange and gray Nike shoes walking on gray concrete stairsPhoto by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

You don't have to be a bodybuilder or exercise buff overnight or even work out every single day. Even starting a routine to take a short walk every day could gradually benefit your overall health. Taking a 10-minute walk three times a day or one 30-minute walk each day can improve your mood. Walking daily can also burn calories, strengthen your heart, lower your blood sugar, ease joint pain, boost your immune function, boost your energy, tone your legs, improve creative thinking, and extend your life.

Reach Out To Loved Ones

We've all been guilty of having numerous things on our plate that we don't take the time to reach out to our loved ones. We might be busy at work or in our personal lives, but taking even 5 minutes to call a loved one can make their day, more than you could possibly know. Call or text a family member or friend to let them know you've been thinking of them and check up on them to see how they're doing. You never know how great of an impact those few minutes could create.

Do One Thing Daily To Be Happy

good vibes only textPhoto by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash

I'll admit, I stole this one from a white canvas print I bought at T.J. Maxx but I still highly stand by it. The quote said, "Do one thing every day that makes you happy" and I think it's a great quote to always keep in mind. Whether you wake up to your favorite genre of music instead of that annoying iPhone alarm or you stop by your favorite coffee shop before starting your day, do one thing that will brighten your day even in the slightest. We can't control what happens in our lives every day but we can do one thing each day that can better our mood as we take on the world.

Pet Every Dog

Giphy

This is certainly a personal preference because I'm an avid dog lover but I highly suggest you pet every dog you pass on the street- with permission from the owner first. Some dogs are shy or scared of strangers but if you're lucky enough to find a dog you pass by that you're able to pet, go for it! Petting animals can actually reduce your stress hormones, which is why you're more likely to see animals on campus during finals season. Relieving your stress will better yourself as you give every dog you pass an extra amount of affection!

Help The Planet

unknown person holding clear glass ballPhoto by Margot RICHARD on Unsplash

As the concern for climate change increases, everyone is making small changes to gradually help the planet. Using reusable water bottles, being persistent with recycling, and picking up trash left on the ground outside could all be small actions that inevitably help the planet. You don't have to become an environmental activist like Greta Thunberg, but you could immensely help your planet by making just a few changes.

Start Your Morning With Music

Giphy

Most of us listen to music every day while we're driving to work, relaxing at home, or getting ready for a night out. By starting your day with your favorite music to get you in a good mood, you're more likely to start off your day with an optimistic outlook. Listening to your favorite music actually releases dopamine and causes you to feel emotions of excitement, joy, and happiness.

Get More Sleep

woman sleeping on blue throw pillowPhoto by bruce mars on Unsplash

Most of us have pulled all-nighters before and felt the eventual 'crash' sneak up on us the following day. Getting enough sleep can make-or-break your mood the next day and your productiveness at work. When you don't get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep at night, your productivity and concentration will decline the next day and you're more likely to be angrier. A lack of sufficient sleep could also reduce your ability to interact socially and can weaken your immune system. Do your body and mind a favor and get a full 8 hours of sleep every night- everything else can wait.

Eat Cleaner

Giphy

You don't have to go vegan but deciding to make healthier food choices can go a long way. Switching from white bread to wheat bread or whole grain can be a small step to healthier eating. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables and cutting back on meat can also be beneficial. While you don't have to change your diet entirely, keeping an eye on processed foods, added sugar, and sodium in the food you consume can benefit your health. Deciding to eat cleaner can help your heart and reduce your risk of diseases.

Rid Of Stressors

worry less cardPhoto by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Some of us have toxic people enter our lives and we can't always get rid of them. Sometimes it's a boss, a neighbor, or simply a bad friend. Determining what our key stressors are is the first step to reducing our daily stress. If your boss always asks you to take on more projects or stay late at work, tell them you'll do it this once but that they can't expect you to always put work before your personal life and family. Whatever your specific situation may be, keep your mental health as the top priority and don't let the stressors of other people ruin your mood. Don't let the stress bundle up inside you until they one day explode- only worsening your mental health. Take everything day-by-day and remember to always put yourself first while using stress-relieving tactics that work for you.

Bettering ourselves in the new year is a gradual change that can't happen overnight. With mental, emotional, and physical health changes, you can slowly help your body and improve your overall mood. Hopefully, these tips will lead you toward the best you in the new year. Good luck!

Report this Content
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

208
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

130
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1467
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments