15 Achievable New Year’s Resolutions for a Happier & Healthier 2020

The New Year is nearing, and with the holiday season already upon us many people are looking back on this past year’s accomplishments, challenges and triumphs. This is the perfect opportunity to start making changes towards living a happier and healthier life in 2020. If you love making lists but have a hard time following through, try confiding in a friend or family member, sharing your journey and accomplishments will keep you accountable!

1. Declutter Your Kitchen

If you take a look around and can hardly find your blender amidst the groceries, papers and stacks of mail take 20 minutes to put everything where it belongs. You might also find that it helps you cook and eat more mindfully.

2.

Eat More Citrus

Winter citruses like grapefruits, oranges, clementines and pomelos help keep your skin looking healthy and fresh during the cold season thanks high levels of Vitamin C.

3. Become a Plant Owner

Research shows that the simple presence of indoor plants can help reduce human stress levels. Consider swinging by the garden center after your next Sunday brunch and picking up a new leafy friend.

4. Take in the Arts

To help ward off the winter blues, engage in a bit of local culture—a trip to the museum, a night at the theater, or attending a concert. Getting you out of the house and around other people is likely to lower your risk of developing depression.

5. Meditate Daily

Better sleep, less stress, more focus. The benefits to daily meditation truly are endless but it can be hard to switch off your mind at first. Luckily there are plenty of apps, books and devices to help you quiet your thoughts for just a few bucks.

6. Give Back

Research shows that pitching in regularly can lead to less stress and lower blood pressure levels. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also the National Day of Service and only a few short weeks into the year. Consider using this day to jumpstart a longer-term personal commitment.

7. Zen Living

Make chaotic zones in your house calm using simple systems and design elements. The entryway of your house gets a lot of foot traffic, add organizational elements to keep things tidy and add in pops of color with florals or a small rug to make it more homey.

8. Less Screen Time

It’s all too easy to get lost in the mindless scroll of social media feeds. Track your personal app usage using your phone’s built in tools and trade screen time for hanging with friends or walking outside.

9. Boost Your Mood with Fragrances

Smell is associated with the parts of the brain that process emotion and store memories. We are all familiar with the idea that certain aromas can effect our mood - some common examples are vanilla for relaxation, lavender to curb stress and peppermint to boost your energy. Try out these modern essential oil car diffusers to brighten your morning commute.

10. Treat Yourself

Affordable at home facials are readily available and can help you carve out some much needed self-care time. Hit up your local pharmacy or get in the DIY spirit and make your own for spa-level nutrients added to your weekly skincare regime.

11. Hydration is Key

We all know how important hydration is for our mind, body and especially our skin. But did you know that you’re likely to be extra dehydrated after a bad night’s sleep? A hormone that regulars our body’s water conservation isn’t released until later stages of sleep which are often not reached if you sleep less than 6 hours a night. So if you can’t pack in enough Zzz’s, make sure to compensate with extra water.

12. Take A Bath

If you can’t seem to manage to relax before bed, consider taking a hot bath to help you unwind. Studies show that you’re likely to not only fall asleep 10 minutes earlier but you’ll also have a better quality sleep. Sounds like a win-win to us!

13. Sanitize Your Phone

If you haven’t considered the amount of times you handle your phone and the surfaces it touches on any given day you might be shocked to hear that your phone carries about 10x as much bacteria as most toilet seats. Sanitizing your phone once a week using a bleach-free disinfectant wipe is not only safe to use on your phone but it can kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

14. Eat Your Nuts & Berries

Blueberries and walnuts not only taste delicious together, but they offer high impact health benefits. Walnuts can help reduce LDL levels (the bad kind of cholesterol), while blueberries are the king of antioxidant foods - protecting your body from free radicals and supporting heart health.

15. Take a Real Lunch-Break

According to a new survey, only one in five Americans takes a proper lunch break away from their desk. Doing so can increase your productivity and happiness while at work. Whether you grab a bite or go for a walk - spending 30 minutes away from your desk during the day can benefit your work-life balance.