We all know the standard New Year’s resolutions, like trying to lose a little weight or eating healthier, but bettering ourselves for 2019 is so much more than that. While it’s important to take care of your body, it’s also important to take care of your mind and well being. Make this year the year of self care by learning all about healthy New Year’s resolutions.
Here are some self care tips for your resolutions to help get 2019 started on the right track!
Try a New Hobby
The beginning of the New Year is the perfect time to try something new, whether it’s reading, writing, gardening, knitting, or learning how to play an instrument. When thinking about your new hobby for 2019, ask yourself how it will provide the self care you deserve. For example, if you want to start crafting, you could craft something for children in need and feel good about giving back. Here are more ideas for 2019 hobbies:
- Join a reading challenge, like this blogger did in 2018, or volunteer at your local library as a tutor
- Sign up for piano or guitar lessons, and put on a concert for the people you love
- Learn how to knit, then knit baby hats for your local children’s hospital
- Learn how to garden and donate any extra produce to your local food bank (AmpleHarvest.org can help you find a location near you)
- Volunteer at an animal shelter
- Pull out that yoga mat and drop in on a local class or two a week
Travel to a New Place
Traveling is one of the most powerful ways to take care of yourself as you learn about new cultures, people, and ways of life. Even if you don’t have the means to travel far, small, self care trips still pack many benefits. Planning a weekend trip with a spouse or friend to get out and do something new once a quarter is a realistic New Year’s resolution for seniors.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Self care tip 101: it’s all about mental health, whether that means taking a day to just pamper yourself, or learning the power of mindfulness. This New Year, make a specific resolution focused on your mental health, such as:
- Limiting your screen time for 2 hours before bed
- Starting a gratitude journal
- Doing something you love every day, from calling your children to taking a walk outside
- Joining a social group to make new friends
Schedule Relaxation Time
Like taking a break to focus on your mental health, taking a break to focus on your physical health is a very important New Year’s resolution for seniors. We put our bodies through so much, so making time to relax and reset is key. To make this happen, be specific with your resolution. For example, you could make one day a week your “stay in and do nothing” day. You don’t even have to get out of your PJs! If you really want some R&R, schedule yourself a massage or enjoy at-home massage therapy. That, combined with a warm bath and aromatherapy, is sure to help you feel refreshed all year long. Use this self care activity to take care of your body in 2019.
Challenge Your Mind
One healthy New Year’s resolution that should be on everyone’s list is to challenge the way you think about life and your perspective! Rather than viewing your resolution as a way to improve upon yourself, view it as a way to grow as an individual, friend, or family member. Not sure where to start? These prompts will help you shift your perspective from focusing on improving to focusing on growing:
- Build one healthy habit
- Ditch one bad habit
- Reconnect with an old friend or relative
- Create something
- Overcome one fear
- Take a risk
- Cross off a bucket list item
- Have fun!
The New Year brings so many fresh beginnings, so make it a great one by focusing on self care activities and your mental and physical health. We’re ready for you, 2019!
