With each New Year so many of us are so over making a resolution or two – and never getting past first base. Why is this?
Is it because we’re just having a stab in the dark because it’s expected of us all? Did we start with good intentions and loads of motivation until !@#$% got in the way? We’re not committed. We are fearful of making change. We’re good at starting but have no follow through.
You need to have a conversation with yourself and work out what is important to you. How much time do you have available? What can you let go of or get out of your life to make way for something that is important and adds to your life?
Understand that a great year is nothing more than 365 great days all put together.
Check out these 22 tips to incorporate into your life to add value, hope, consistency, determination, and control:
1: To create more time and space in your life you need to reduce decision fatigue. Eliminate as many small (repeatable) decisions as possible from your typical day. You’ll be amazed at how much more time you find in each day. Your time is valuable. People who have to wear a uniform to work don’t have to decide each morning “What will I wear today?”
2: Master batching by pre-planning your meals, shopping and cooking times and days on a weekly basis. Not only will you save time and money, but also save on food wastage. Feel free to repeat last week’s plan this week. Use fresh food seasonally available as your main driver of menu changes.
3: Having a plan that is SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. Have it written down and read it every day. This could apply to losing weight, getting a new job, planning a holiday or change of address.
4: What gets measured gets done. Assessing monthly or quarterly where you are and where you want to be next month or next quarter and apply using tip 3. Have no more than 3 goals to work on at any one time so you can give them all your energy. Keep your written goals in plain sight.
5: Develop a morning routine. To get a head start on your day and reduce decision fatigue, map out the perfect morning for you that fits in with your family and work schedule. Then all you need to do is stick to it. Great morning routines are made easier if you have the same early bedtime routines, 7 days a week if you can.
6: Spend time each day in sunshine or in nature (or both). It’s probably better than taking a vitamin pill, but still take the vitamin pill if you wish.
7: If you use the words “should”, “ought to” and “must” the impression created is that you have few options and too-high expectations. Try changing your language to “can”, “choose to”, or “decide to” and your attitude will change. You’ll be more confident and positive.
8: Be kind to yourself. The person you spend the most time with is yourself. Learn to treat yourself like you would a good friend. Be honest, understanding, accountable, and patient.
9: Learn how to say No thanks. There are times when you need to use these two words so being comfortable with having the conversation is something that may have to be rehearsed in advance. Try “Thanks for the invite but I’ve got plans.” Even if the plan is to have a quiet night at home.
10: Take mini breaks throughout the year, it will keep you sharp. Book these in at the beginning of the year to ensure you make sure you take them and schedule other activities around your time off!
11: Buy a good bed, you spend lots of time in it. Treat yourself to a great pillow as well and good quality sheets to ensure you have a good night’s sleep. Try wearing eye covers. Try earplugs especially if your partner snores. These things really do make a difference.
12: Night routines are a must. Just like we start the day well we also need to end the day well. Signalling your body to wind down, adds to good sleep hygiene. Can you stop looking at any screen at least 30 minutes before going to bed? Have a book on your bedside table.
13: Hydration is a key to so many health outcomes. Our skin is the largest organ on our body so staying hydrated helps us look and feel our best. Keep bottles of water by your desk, in your car and by your bed.
14: Embrace a hobby or creative activity – draw, paint, sing, garden, learn a language, sew, knit – whatever brings joy to your life!
15: Smile. It’s contagious and makes you feel better. It also makes other people feel better and want to spend more time with you. When you feel great and relaxed the outcome is that better things will find you. Be a smile spreader by aiming to pay a sincere compliment to another human being every day.
16: Measure what you do with your time. Is it spent watching TV or scrolling endlessly through social media and causing you despair!!! Use this time to add to your life by learning about things you are interested in. A good book is a wonderful way to enjoy some down-time without being over stimulated.
17: Be aware of depleting your dopamine levels. Many of us find ourselves addicted to something which over time increases our access to this addiction, depleting our dopamine levels and brain health. Dopamine can be improved by social interaction with loved ones (hugging) and being in nature. Do you know what you are addicted to?
18: Sometimes we need to manage our relationships more carefully. Be selective with whom you spend your time with as this does matter. Friends and family who are supportive of you, and promote healthy habits are whom you should be spending time with.
19: Design what you would like a 10/10 day to look like and just keep repeating that. Spend as much time as possible with thoughts of success and being grateful for the amazing opportunities and life you have.
20: To manage stress have a strategy in place. Breath work, meditation, yoga, mindfulness apps, visualisation, and stretching are just a few things to try. Don’t let things bother you for long, just realise that the time wasn’t right for whatever it was and move on.
21: Give back to your local community, a friend or family member in need, a favourite charity or the local school or nursing home. The gift of giving will give you back more than you could ever imagine. Give without any expectation of reciprocation.
22: Make your health your focus, or one of your hobbies. If you don’t have your health, you will never have wealth. Your health includes nutrition, exercise and movement, sleep, hydration, brain health, mindset, supple body, skin and oral health (floss!), and social interactions.
Would you like to do a program that covers all these health facets and discover your individual carbohydrate tolerance, so that you can comfortably get to your ideal weight without hunger?
You will learn so much about your body, how you react to different foods and drinks, and what foods and how much you can comfortably eat for your best weight and health outcomes.
Follow our link to find out how you can get started on your weight and wellness journey with the Dietflex program.