5 Things You Can Do to Start the New Year Strong

Hello friends! Happy happy New Year! I hope the new year has started off well for you. I know the start of something new can create feelings of renewal, refreshment, and excitement. But something “new” can also create feelings of anxiety (about the unknown), disappointment (about what hasn’t been accomplished previously), or even ambivalence. The start of a new year is no different. Today’s post is definitely for you if you’re looking for ways to start the new year strong regarding your health and wellness. I’ll give you my 5 favorite tips for starting your new year with a bang. You’ll walk away with concrete action steps that you can take to make positive changes in your life this year. Let’s get started!

1. Resolutions: Set Goals That Can Work

We start with resolutions because this is the topic that people love or hate to embrace. New Year’s resolutions get a bad rap because they either don’t work or people don’t stick to them long enough for them to work. There’s a reason for this. Many times, people don’t establish realistic goals and/or specific goals. If your goal isn’t realistic, you don’t have a shot in the world to achieve it. If it’s not specific enough, you won’t know what you’re aiming for because the goal is too ambiguous. I recommend using the SMART method to write your New Year’s resolutions. Here’s a breakdown of the acronym:

• The “S” stands for Specific
• The “M” stands for Measurable
• The “A” stands for Attainable
• The “R” stands for Realistic
• The “T” stands for Timely

When you write your goals using this method, they will be more detailed and will set you up for success. Read more about how to apply this method, and download a worksheet HERE:

2. Eating Better: Cook More at Home

Did you stick to your diet during the holidays? If your answer is no, you’re not alone. It’s super tough to stick to a normal eating routine over the holiday months because your schedule is anything but normal. The start of the new year is an excellent time for a reset! Maybe you drank too much alcohol during November and December. Go dry during the month of January. Or maybe you want to get back on track regarding your eating routine but don’t know how. Consider hiring a nutrition coach (I’m one!). It’s not as expensive as you may think, and you’ll learn more about what to eat, and what not to eat. You’ll receive personalized meal plans and a grocery list each week, plus accountability and encouragement along the way. I’m running a new year special between now and January 20, 2023, so sign up below!

3. Working Out More: Start a New Workout Routine

While we know exercise is something we should do, we don’t always prioritize it. The start of a new year is a great time to change that by trying something new. Exercise is so beneficial for our bodies. Not only can we improve our cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength via exercise, but we can also improve our mental health. Exercise helps us reduce stress, improve our focus, and build self-esteem! If you’re looking for ways to start a new workout routine, check out my post HERE. You can also exercise with me from the comfort of your own home via my Wellness With Wendy on-demand fitness classes. I offer HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Barre Fusion, and Stretching classes. Your first 7 days are free, so simply sign up HERE and then push play!

4. Focus on Your Mental Health: Start Journaling

I used to journal a lot when I was younger, but I stopped when life got too busy and I couldn’t find the time to be still and settle my mind. But journaling is so beneficial for doing just that – settling your mind and helping you sort through your thoughts and plans. It’s a great addition to your morning routine. Plus, it doesn’t have to be too involved. To start a journaling routine, grab a journal or notepad and write the following each day:

1. For what are you grateful? List 3 things and be specific.
2. How do you want to feel today? List 3 emotions that you’ll focus on today.
3. What will you work on today? List 3 things (biz goal, health goal, personal goal, etc.).
4. What are 3 potential roadblocks for #3, and what can you do to stop them?

5. Sleep More: Establish a New Sleep Routine

Like exercise, we know we need to sleep. But also like exercise, we skimp on sleep too often. Good quality sleep helps prevent serious health issues. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to high blood pressure, depression, weight gain, diabetes, mood disturbances, the development of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, and increase your risk for some cancers. Second, quality sleep helps to slow the aging process. Lack of sleep stresses the skin which can lead to breakouts. This happens because cortisol levels don’t have a chance to decrease during sleep, and the skin can’t regenerate and protect itself. And when cortisol levels remain high, collagen breaks down. Collagen is so magical because it helps skin look youthful.

I have 5 tips on how to sleep better. Just check out my post HERE. And, check out this video for some stretches that you can use to help wind down before bedtime:

Friends, I hope these new year tips have been super helpful. The start of a new year can be exciting and transformative if we’re intentional and take concrete action steps towards creating change in our lives. Transitioning from one year to the next is not necessarily easy but if you follow these tips I think you can start the new year stronger than ever.

Happy New Year, and I wish you all the best!

[addtoany]