Losing weight, saving money, and quitting bad habits are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions. But what if instead of focusing so much on these resolutions—that you probably won’t follow through with—you focus more on your general wellness?
By concentrating more on these smaller, more achievable wellness resolutions, you won’t end up feeling disappointed later. Instead, you’ll likely end up feeling happier and healthier.
Mental Health Resolutions
1. Make Time for Self-Care Activities With Amaru
According to an article from Southern New Hampshire University, engaging in a self-care routine can have many great benefits. Some of these benefits include reduced anxiety, stress, and depression. So why not kickstart the New Year with a cute companion who can upgrade your self-care routine?
Amaru is a virtual pet that you have to look after. When you complete your self-care goals, practice guided meditation, or do some journaling, it affects Amaru positively. So, caring for him is like caring for yourself. Additionally, you can also play fun mini-games or send Amaru exploring.
Download: Amaru: The Self-Care Pet for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
2. Learn More About Mental Health From the School of Life
In order to improve your mental health and well-being, you need to understand it. The School of Life is an organization that teaches and offers advice on everyday life issues. The School of Life is simply the best place to find information about mental health.
To find specific videos, simply type “mental health” into the search bar. Additionally, you can browse the various playlists that focus on relationships, psychotherapy, and self. Download the companion School of Life app if you want to take their helpful resources with you on the go.
Sleep Resolutions
3. Go for a Walk Every Day Outside With Pedometer King
How does walking outside affect your sleep? A study published in PubMed states that people who are more active sleep better and longer. Plus, walking outside and exposing yourself to natural light can help with your circadian rhythm.
The Pedometer King app offers an easy, yet effective way to stick to your daily walking habit. Use the app to accurately track your daily steps, calories, movement time, and kilometers walked. And the app gives you the option to stop and start the step counter if it’s feeling a bit intrusive, which is something that many other pedometer apps don’t offer.
Download: Pedometer King for Android (Free, subscription available)
4. Keep Your Sleep Schedule Consistent With Sleep Cycle
It’s critical to keep a structured sleep schedule for children, but it’s as important for adults, too. A consistent sleep schedule means a boosted mood and overall just better sleep. For a little help adopting good sleep habits and improving your sleep with an app, download Sleep Cycle.
This sleep tracker app analyzes you using your phone’s microphone as you sleep to help you wake up and fall asleep easier. The premium version of Sleep Cycle features many great sleep tools, such as sleep graphs, goals, notes, statistics, and a range of sleep sounds, guides, music, and stories.
Download: Sleep Cycle for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
Fitness Resolutions
5. Exercise With a Friend or Family Member on Pantheon
Having a workout buddy can improve your motivation and consistency and add a competitive edge. When you can’t exercise with your workout partner in person, the next best thing is to use the Pantheon app—one of the best social fitness apps around.
Pantheon works by connecting to your phone or fitness tracker to generate personalized goals and challenges just for you. What makes Pantheon different from other fitness apps is that you can find and follow your friends to work out together and compete on the leaderboard.
Download: Pantheon for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Practice Active Recovery Between Workouts With Juice and Toya
Often, one of the most important parts of your workout is active recovery. Active recovery is a low-impact activity that you do after or between an intense workout. And it can effectively reduce soreness and help restore your muscles.
Juice & Toya’s YouTube channel features an excellent selection of active recovery workouts. Stretching is a great form of active recovery, and you’ll find several quick and easy guided stretching videos on their Stretching and Mobility playlist.
Try out their 20-minute active recovery workout if you’re looking for something a bit longer. Some of the moves are more advanced, but fortunately, there are easier alternatives.
Healthy Eating Resolutions
7. Eat More Whole Foods on a Daily Basis With the Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show
Whole foods are foods in their most natural state as they haven’t been refined or processed. Eating a whole food diet is usually made up of a lot of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. If you want to begin the New Year right then it’s time to eat more whole foods.
For those who need a little help in the kitchen, head over to The Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show with Jill Youtube Channel. Not only are Jill’s recipes focused on eating whole foods, but they’re plant-based too! Holiday recipes, meatless Mondays, vegan snacks, kid-friendly recipes, and side dishes are just some of the recipes available.
8. Cut Back on Animal Products With Fivesec Health
There’s one New Year’s resolution that everyone should be trying to make and that’s eating fewer animal products. A few of the benefits—beyond a positive environmental impact—include better health and improved weight management.
If you’re not using The Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show YouTube channel to find recipe inspiration, download the Fivesec Health app. The app features vegan recipes that are easy to whip up, yet satisfying and delicious. A few must-try dishes include creamy miso ramen, lentil enchiladas, and fudgy brownies.
Besides all the vegan recipes, the app also offers a meal planner, a shopping list, and an educational section. There is even an Eat More Plants Challenge, which can be valuable on your new journey.
Download: Fivesec Health for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
Put Your Health First in the New Year
The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that they’re often unrealistic and impossible to commit to. Most of the time, people give up on their goals within a few short weeks. This year, focus on New Year’s resolutions that are attainable and that will also enrich your health and wellness.
Finding and deciding on a good wellness-related resolution can be tough. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at these wellness resolutions that center on your mental health, sleep, eating habits, and fitness.
