"Lose weight. Run a marathon. Cut out alcohol. Get a raise. We make the same tired New Year’s resolutions every year that we never manage to keep, or we forget we made them altogether by February. Seriously–is it just me, or do New Year’s resolutions never seem to work? I suspect that we make resolutions that we think we want, not resolutions that will actually make us healthier and happier. We think losing weight will make us feel more confident or that running a marathon will get us to the gym (and back to that weight loss goal). We believe cutting out alcohol will make us healthier or that getting a raise will make all of our problems disappear. But are these resolutions really making us feel good, or are these “goals” in the name of being better actually distracting us from truly being healthy?
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In 2024, it’s time to ditch the typical resolutions that leave you feeling stressed out or let down year after year. Instead, opt for resolutions that you’ll enjoy so much and will make you feel so good, you’ll have no trouble sticking with them at all. These 60 New Year’s resolutions will make you feel happier, healthier, and all-around better (difficult diets or forced workouts need not apply). Whether you choose one resolution or all 60, you’ll be happier and healthier by 2025.
If you want to revamp your diet…
- Check in with your body before and after every meal to see how it feels
- Ditch outdated food rules
- Focus on adding more nutrients (instead of eating fewer calories/carbohydrates, etc.)
- Eat leafy greens with two meals a day
- Drink more water and eat more water-rich produce (like watermelon, romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, etc.)
- Try new produce you’ve never cooked with before
- Eat the rainbow with a variety of fruits and veggies in every color
- Start meal prepping to make cooking during the week easier
- Eat seasonally
- Replace your favorite meals with plant-heavy alternatives (cauliflower pizza crust, chickpea pasta, etc.)
If you’re motivated to update your fitness routine…
- Exercise in ways that feel exciting and fun to you
- Get specific about your goals
- Add an outdoor activity to your routine (going on a walk counts!)
- Be active in ways that don’t feel like exercise (play sports with friends, go ice skating, swim in the summer, etc.)
- Prioritize rest and recovery just as much as you prioritize workouts
- Work out without your phone
- Try something new once a month
- Be more active outside of the gym (take the stairs, walk everywhere, dance while getting ready)
- Stretch more
- Schedule workouts into your calendar (yes, even if that means adding “busy” to your work calendar)
If you need to stress less…
- Prioritize the hobbies, habits, and people who make you happy
- Reexamine all of your relationships–let go of the ones that don’t make you feel good, and invest more time into the ones that do
- Practice gratitude, even for the smallest things
- Start a meditation practice
- Have a go-to morning and nighttime routine that makes you feel relaxed and happy
- Try a weekly social media detox
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep (every single night)
- Talk to yourself like you talk to loved ones
- Say “no” when you mean no
- Schedule time to do something fun “just because” every day
If you want to look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside…
- Nail down a skincare routine that you can consistently do every single day
- Focus on scalp-care
- Experiment with color in your makeup routine
- Invest in a beauty supplement
- Find your perfect foundation or concealer shade
- Try a new nail color you’ve never worn before
- Make your quarterly haircut appointments in advance
- Develop a nighttime hair routine
- Wear sunscreen every single day
- Make a skin-check appointment with your dermatologist
If you want to feel more in control of your finances…
- Max out your retirement contribution or start contributing to a retirement fund
- Pay off credit cards
- Increase your credit score
- Pay off one thing that requires monthly payments
- Reach a certain amount in savings
- Set up an emergency fund and build it to a percentage of your salary
- Save for a big goal (down payment on house, car, etc.)
- Talk with your boss about action plans to maximize your compensation (work toward a raise, check out commuter perks, look at non-health benefits, etc.)
- Work on your financial wellness
- Budget to make room for items, experiences, or indulgences that truly bring you joy
If you’re ready to upgrade your home…
- Create a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal cleaning routine
- Replace one disposable item in your kitchen with a more eco-friendly alternative (for example, swap paper towels for rags, aluminum foil for reusable food wrap, or counter cleaner with a refillable essential-oil based cleaner)
- Tackle one home project a month
- Do a quick declutter of closets, drawers, laundry chairs, and piles of paper once a week
- Make seasonal updates so your home always feels fresh
- Make one big change like painting a wall, getting a new couch, or DIYing a gallery wall to make your space feel like new
- Reorganize one area every month, like your makeup stash, pantry, fridge, or hall closet
- Aim to bring your personality into your home more
- Get in the habit of cleaning off counters, finishing the dishes, and putting away any laundry before bed
- Make upgrades to your bath or shower for a more peaceful environment