A new year is upon us, but after the confetti and champagne fade from sight, focus on making some resolutions that you will actually want to keep. These refreshed resolutions are a foolproof way to make 2016 the best year yet.
1. Less Time in Front of a Screen
Our society’s time is consistently consumed by staring at a screen, so what is happening with the rest of the world while our eyes are transfixed on that glowing box? When you preoccupy your time with the “world” that is not tangible, you miss out on what is going on right in front of your face. If that is not enough reason, staring at a screen for long amounts of time is not healthy—even more reason to ditch your phone for a few hours a day and read a book or do an activity outside.
2. Call Your Parents More
We often get caught up in our college bubble and forget that are parents do indeed want to hear about how we are doing. It is good to catch up with them and keep in touch with one another’s lives and it is something very simple to do. An easy way to call home more: call on your daily walk to class. You’re not doing anything at this time anyway, and it is an effective use of time to communicate with loved ones.
3. Practice Healthy Habits Year Round
The funny thing about January 1st is that people magically feel that this date on the calendar means they will be healthy now and ditch the bagels for broccoli. However, January 1st should not suddenly inspire people to be more health conscious, and rather, this should be something we all focus on year round. Once you start working in nutritious foods and quick workouts into your daily schedule, it will become a habit and make for a healthier you 365 days a year.
4. Speak Kind Words
Too often our society focuses on gossip. Speaking maliciously about others and spreading negative behavior will only make you look bad. Once you start replacing your bad vocabulary with positive words, you will not only feel better, but you will attract people who also have the same behavior. No one wants to be surrounded by a bunch of people with foul mouths.
5. Love Yourself
This one is really important. The media throws a plethora of images of what you should and should not look like, making it tough to appreciate our true value at times. Too often we tear ourselves down and meticulously focus all our energy on flaws. Instead of dwelling on photoshopped, unrealistic interpretations of beauty, draw your attention to all the great things that make you, you. Appreciate the curve of your smile, your scribbly handwriting, and your knack for making others laugh. When you take of yourself and value who you are, it will relieve a lot of unnecessary negativity that might have once been there.
6. Take Interest in the Surrounding World
Again with the college bubble, we can easily become too caught up in our small world that we tend to forget about the big world around us. Pay attention to the news more; whether that be online, in a paper, or on a tv, make some time to educate yourself about what is occurring in the world. When you learn about what is happening on a global scale, it will not only keep you informed, but it will also give you perspective.
7. Learn Something New
Learning is not meant solely for a classroom. It is easy to binge watch shows and hit up the bars for fun, but learning something new will be gratifying. Learn a new language, master a fitness class, or try a delicious recipe. Learning a new skill will make you more well rounded and can even help you make more friends by jumping out of your comfort zone.
So, when January 1st stares back at you from the calendar, do not make a resolution to simply hit the treadmill for two weeks till you get bored. Rather, implement positive ways to make you a happy, healthier, more knowledgeable being. The results just might surprise you come next year.
