New Year, New You: Six Habits to Start in 2021
After the year 2020, we’re all ready to make 2021 our year – especially those of us who have adopted unhealthy habits in 2020. Entering a new year is the perfect reason to turn those bad habits into healthy ones.
If you feel stuck in a rut or have a hard time narrowing down what you want to accomplish in 2021, here are six healthy habits to start in the new year.
Take Vitamins
Many adults experience at least one vitamin deficiency. Vitamins offer essential nutrients your body needs and are a great way to supplement your diet. You should always aim to get your vitamins from the food you eat first, but there are cases where taking vitamins may be helpful (for example, if you live in an area with little sunlight, you may be deficient in Vitamin D). Vitamins are available in many forms like tablets, capsules, chewable gummies, powders, and liquids.
Taking vitamins daily is proven to boost immunity, support eye health, and promote healthy aging. There are many resources to help guide you to the vitamins that will benefit your lifestyle. Your local grocery or supplement store carries most vitamins. Always remember to speak to your doctor before taking a new vitamin.
Less Screen Time, More Reading
Adults spend about 11 hours a day staring at a screen. This screen can range from your phone to your TV, work computer, or any other electronic device. Not only is this unhealthy, but it’s also time-consuming and a wasteful habit. Screen time has been proven to lead to insomnia and poor sleep, as well as heighten the effects of eye strain and headaches.
A great solution to reducing your screen time is to find a book to read. If you’re not a reader, select the genre you think you’ll enjoy most and commit to reading only 10 to 15 pages per day to start. Gradually increase your page commitment from there.
After a long day of work and parenting, laying down and bingeing your favorite Netflix show sounds like a dream, but for your long-term health, finding a way to lower your screen time is vital.
Start Saving Money
We all have ambitious goals when it comes to money, but for many, getting started is the hardest step. A great stepping stone to setting yourself up for achieving your financial goals is opening a separate account just for savings. Separating your accounts allows you to track your spending more efficiently and to focus on a spending goal.
By defining a monthly savings goal, you’re more likely to prioritize this into your monthly budgeting. For example, if you were to set aside $100 a month into a separate savings account, by the beginning of the following year, you’ll see your account balance at a minimum of $1,200.
Tip: Turn on monthly automated deposits and sit back and watch your money grow each month!
Get Quality Sleep
Quality sleep is a driving factor for a day full of energy. On average, an adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep. We all know that some days a full night’s sleep isn’t possible, but starting this habit could be a game-changer for your overall attitude throughout the day. Some tips for practicing proper sleep hygiene are setting a consistent sleep schedule, creating regular bedtime rituals, and limiting your caffeine throughout the day.
Move For 15 Minutes a Day
Getting your body and mind moving for a mere 15 minutes a day will have significant advantages for your health. These short interval movements are proven to make a substantial change in your heart health and improve your mental health. Most of us sit for an average of eight hours a day, so a simple 15-minute walk can help clear your mind, boost energy, support weight loss goals, and improve your overall mood.
Have a Morning and Night Routine
For many of us, creating a routine helps a chore become a habit. This routine could be as simple as a 15-minute meditation or something as complicated as a 30-minute self-care routine. Taking the time out of your morning and evening to focus on your personal goals takes immense discipline, but with success, it’ll lead to positive changes to your well-being.
Some examples of events to add to your routines are:
- Make your bed
- Read for 15 minutes
- Recite daily affirmations
- Make a morning protein smoothie
- Journal for 10 minutes
Everyone has different goals and habits entering 2021. It’s essential to keep a positive mindset and set goals that are attainable for your lifestyle. Tracking the progress of your goals and rewarding yourself when these habits become routine is vital. We have the chance to make 2021 a great year, and it starts with changing our daily habits.
For more tips and tools, read How to Build Great Health Habits to discover how to make these habits stick.
