Whether you want to give up smoking, lose a ton of weight, or start keeping your house tidy all the time and not just when family come to visit, chances are you will fail. This may seem harsh, but the statistics bear this out. Most people fall off their good-intentions wagon by mid-February. The reason seems to be that people always set themselves too big a task; our bad behaviours are just too ingrained for a quick fix.
To avoid the demoralising retrospective come January 2014, why not set some realistic, achievable resolutions for 2013? Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
Get more sleep
Sounds simple, right? But studies show that more and more of us are suffering from a lack of sleep, and it’s not just about getting rid of those bags under your eyes - a good night’s rest can affect your whole body.
More sleep means you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning and will have more energy (so maybe you can cut down on those caffeinated drinks), plus you’ll be more productive. Studies show that more sleep could help speed up your metabolism, possibly helping you lose weight and even live longer. So start by making a new sleep routine and stick to it. Give yourself time to wind down at night, then go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Eat your greens
So here’s another one that might seem simple, but then again how many of us actually eat the recommended amount of fruit and veg each day? The British government recommends five portions of fruit and veg a day to help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. So upping your intake of greens could be a lifesaver, helping pep you up and slim you down and combating all kinds of nasties, such as obesity and diabetes. You can start by eating more festive cranberries, and remember - baked beans also equal one portion. Get a health insurance quote and your good habits could see you earning all kinds of incentives and rewards.
Be thankful
Let’s face it - we’ve all got something to be thankful for, whether it’s friends and family, or just having enough to eat and a roof over our heads. Sounds a bit simplistic, but how many of us wish our lives away by focusing on what we don’t have rather than what we do? Look for that inner peace in your life, grab hold of it and don’t let go. You’ll be happier, more relaxed and who knows - the more contented you are, the easier you might even find those other resolutions to achieve.
(Image via husin.sani on Flickr)