We’re on the cusp of a new year which means, no doubt, that you’re all thinking about what you could possibly make as a few resolutions to help you to start the year on an excellent footing. Start as you mean to go on, after all!
Of course, keeping resolutions can be pretty tricky business so choosing the right ones is key – as is being realistic about what can be achieved in just 12 months! The last two years have certainly been tough, so we’re looking forward to seeing how much positivity 2022 can bring… and here are some ideas that could help you drive health and happiness your way!
Practice gratitude
Practising gratitude has been found to improve resilience and make you happier – and it’s also incredibly easy to get going with, so a great option for a resolution… and one that you’ll likely enjoy keeping, as well.
The idea is to set aside a few minutes each day to write down a couple of things that you’re grateful for. Making a regular time in your schedule when you sit down to do this will help make sure you don’t forget and will keep you on track.
Prioritise self-care
Putting yourself first isn’t selfish – in fact, it’s absolutely necessary! Self-care can take all sorts of forms, whether that’s making time for yourself, doing something fun, indulging in a favourite hobby, getting more sleep, eating healthily… there’s a huge amount you can do that will give you a serious boost to your mental and emotional health.
Practice saying no!
It can be incredibly difficult to say no to others, but setting boundaries for yourself and gently enforcing them will really feel empowering and free up your time so you can focus on what’s really important to you.
Swipe less
Dating is a huge amount of fun but it can be an exhausting endeavour, especially if you’re looking for a long-term relationship and feel as though you’re only meeting people who don’t want the same thing.
Spending less time on all those apps and swiping left and right could make a very real difference to your mental and emotional health – and you might find that you decide to delete them altogether.
Try meditation
Meditation is something that anyone and everyone can do and it can really help ground you in the present moment by getting you to pay close attention to your breath as it goes in and out, but also noticing when your mind starts to wander from our breath. When this happens, the key is to acknowledge the thought and then return your attention back to the breath.
Benefits of meditation include improved stress management, increased self-awareness, improved patience and tolerance, increased creativity… and a whole lot more!
Act as if you were your own best friend
It’s very easy to be hard on yourself but being overly critical can be very damaging. It’s important to be as kind to yourself as you can – so think about what you’d say to your best friend if they were in the same situation as you… and then say that to yourself!
Negative thoughts can breed and foster themselves very quickly, so being as kind and as positive as you can to yourself will really make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing.
Read more books
After all the excess and indulgence of Christmas, January can seem like a bit of a welcome relief, some peace and quiet after the whirlwind of the festive season. Why not bunker down inside, away from the cold, with some good books over the next couple of weeks?
Regular reading can help reduce stress, help you get to sleep and lower blood pressure… so you might find that you suddenly start feeling more energised, as a result!
Of course, these are just a few ideas and you’re sure to have some of your own – so get in touch to let us know what you’re hoping to achieve in 2022 and beyond. If finding love is high on your agenda, get in touch with dating agency Select Personal Introductions to see how we can help find you the partner of your dreams!