By June Duncan

Last year was rough for so many, but this year offers an opportunity to start fresh and make new, healthier habits for our day-to-day. Instead of getting by, make sustainable changes in your life and your space that can really help you flourish and make 2021 your year. 

Make healthy goals

How many of us have pledged to start running 5Ks and found ourselves on the couch instead? Going from zero to eighty is for cars, not sustainable habits; it’s better to make a goal that you can keep, and do keep, and then build on your foundation. Otherwise, you risk falling into the New Year’s trap: making goals you couldn’t possibly keep, and then beating yourself up for the failure. That’s no way to start a new year! 

Instead of a 5K, try to run one mile. Once you’ve done it once, do it again the next day. When it’s gotten easier, run two miles. By racking up small successes, you can build habits that will last.

Need help creating fitness and nutrition goals? Work with a wellness coach or consultant who can help you create sustainable goals that you can keep year-round. You can search for wellness professionals on online job platforms. 

Care for your space

Our homes usually reflect our minds, and things have been cramped lately for almost everyone. One healthy habit that can help you and your family is to dedicate a small amount of time to cleaning, every day. The Minimalists suggest decluttering your home of things you don’t need or want, so you can give yourself some space to stretch out and work on the things you do enjoy. 

Doing one small thing every day can also inspire the others in your household to start pitching in, too—a benefit we could all use. Open up the windows and let the fresh air push out all of the negative junk. It’s a new year.

Invest in yourself

Even when we’re pinching pennies, it’s important to invest money into your happiness and wholeness. Whether it’s buying a small bouquet while getting groceries or buying the “fancy” shampoo, treating yourself as someone important, even on a budget, can help you keep the less-fun goals too; treat your body as a temple, and so it’ll be. 

Find new ways to move

Instead of setting goals that you really don’t want to meet, find things you do enjoy that will leave you wanting to come back for more. For some it can be as simple as throwing a dance party with their families; for others, something like yoga can be a wonderful addition to weekly routines. Many prefer working out with fitness apps as they can keep you accountable to your goals. 

Eat healthier, long term

Just like running sudden marathons, cutting everything, you love out of your diet all at once typically doesn’t work out so well. Instead of dedicating your life to a particular diet at the drop of a hat, make it your goal to change your diet one step at a time. For some, cutting out fast food is a big ask, and the best way to build a habit is from the ground up. 

The Daily Meal suggests finding healthy recipes for your favorite foods, trying other cuisines, and making cooking fun. The benefits add up and you have the opportunity to make long-term habits that will change your outlook on food forever.

Consider taking supplements to get the nutrients you don’t get in your diet. Your body needs a recommended amount of vitamins and minerals daily, which may not be met by the food you eat. That’s where supplements come in. There are tons of supplements available in the market, from multivitamins to mushroom capsules for specific functions. Consult your healthcare provider to determine what supplements are right for you.

Making healthier goals doesn’t have to mean a diet of lettuce and running marathons; there are tons of ways that you can get healthier and get happier at the same time. Finding and maintaining these habits is much simpler than setting goals for yourself.

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