There always is one resolution that just transfers from one list to another, from one year to the next. But if you are determined to change this and finally fulfil all your goals for the year, then this article is just for you!
Check how to overcome the obstacles and accomplish 5 of the most common New Year resolutions.
Resolution No1: Eat Healthier
This is one of the most common resolutions people make every New Year, but unfortunately, it is one of the first that is being dropped out. Start slow – if crisps and chocolate desserts have been a big part of your way of eating, it will be very difficult to stop them right away. Instead of torturing yourself with drastic measures, start small – replace one snack in your day with fruit for a week or two. Then gradually add more fruit, and extract the unhealthy munchies. And remember – if you eat well, in general, it’s okay to have a pizza, chips, or a waffle once in a while.
Resolution No2: Exercise More
We all know the benefits of sports and exercise, and yet most of us just put this resolution on our lists every year, and every year we fail to fulfil it. We are so busy in our everyday life that we think we cannot find the time or energy to exercise.
If you haven’t done sports since high school, going for a full workout session in the gym can lead to exhaustion, disappointment and the result will be crossing out the task from your life. Instead, you can start with a single exercise, and gradually add more. Or getting off the train one stop before your workplace and walking the rest of the distance. However, just like with eating healthier, the key to more active lifestyle is to start small.
Resolution No3: Quit Smoking
Smoking is dangerous, outdated and expensive, but quitting cigarettes seem impossible, especially if you are a long-time smoker. For a lot of people, going out for a cigarette is the only way to take a break in their busy day. And if you are under stress, the easiest way to get calm seems to light a cigarette.
However, if quitting tobacco is on your list of resolutions, the best you can do is to reflect on your habit. What makes you smoke? When, where and with who are you smoking most often? Answering these questions will give you the key on how to quit. Consult your doctor to help you get rid of cigarettes. Additionally, it will be easier for you to quit if you convince your partner or a friend to do it together. It is better when you are not doing this by your own.
Resolution No4: Be Present
Modern life often keeps us so busy, that we forget to live our lives and be there for the people we love. If you have decided to change this situation, now is the best time to do so. Think about how you spend your day – is it absolutely necessary to do everything that you usually do? Of course, you cannot cross out your responsibilities, but if you want to be more present, you can sure change a thing or two.
For example, you can cut off your TV hours, or the time you spend on social media. Don’t take your work back home, except if it is absolutely necessary. Plan your time wisely – instead of sleeping late on the weekend, get up an hour early and use this time to meet a friend, or spend time with your family, or even – to pay attention to yourself, read a book, or get back to your favourite hobbies.
Resolution No5: Become More Organised
If you want to drastically change your life, to have more time for everything you want to do, and to be less stressed, then probably you need to optimise the way you spend your day. Actually, it will be extremely easy to fulfil almost all of the resolutions we mentioned above, if you become more organised. Every person functions differently, however, there are a few things that can help anyone put their days in order.
Start making schedules – both for your professional and for your personal tasks. Put deadlines on everything you want to do – otherwise, you might be tempted to postpone the task, or “forget” it. Stop making promises and arrangements that you cannot keep. It is better to do 1 thing right than to stress out and try to complete 3 completely different tasks at the same time – psychologists have already proven, that multitasking affects your performance negatively.
Bonus Tip: Start Clean
The connection between mess and stress is well known to science for a long time. But you don’t need to be a psychologist to realise, that the more cluttered and dirty your home, the less good and productive you feel. Take a few days in the beginning of this year and use them to put your home in order. Organise, de-clutter and clean. This may take you some time but will pay you well for months to come. If you don’t know how to start, you can check some of our previous articles for some ideas:
5 Quick Clean-Ups for Your Home – a great article that will help you clean when in a hurry
9 Tricks to help You Clean Your Home after the Holidays – a selection of 9 surprising tricks that will help you put your home back to normal after holiday season
Home Cleaning for Freelancers 101 – a must read for everyone who works from home
How to Involve Young Children in Home Cleaning? – 4 tactics to help you make your child help with chores + list of age appropriate chores
How to Make Your Teenager Help more at Home? – a selection of working tactics for desperate parents
10 Spring Cleaning Tricks of the Pros – 10 tips that will make cleaning easier from The Happy House Cleaning professionals.
At last, but not least – if you want to stick to your resolutions and turn them into habits, you don’t have to play hard, just to play smart. Turn to a nutritionist for a diet, that best suits your needs. Hire a trainer, at least for the first months of going to the gym. Use the reminders of your phone or any other app, to help you keep up with your plans.
And, don’t forget – you can always rely on us for any home cleaning service! From deep cleaning of carpets and furniture to regular domestic cleaning service or one-off cleaning – we are here to make your life easier!
