Cute but Corny New Years Resolutions

By: burgundy bug

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Lanterns

Source: Lanterns | Penelope Peru Photography P³

A resolution for the new year doesn’t have to be some drastic life-altering change. In fact, there are plenty of little decisions you can make that will have quite a huge impact on your daily life.

Cute but Corny New Years Resolutions

Ah, resolutions. They are both a blessing and a curse. Many new years resolutions are often abandoned, as they are too big of a change without enough drive to keep them fueled much farther than February.

A survey recently conducted by Cision and Varo Money found most of their participants had pretty vague yet major goals for 2019 – to save money, get in shape, buy a house, quit smoking, and even find love.

While these are wonderful, they are all long-term goals that involve major changes to your daily routine. Even the daunting task of finding love is quite delicate and can’t be rushed.

Rather than expecting yourself to change at the drop of a pin, start small. Stick with resolutions that are practical and actually beneficial to your well-being.

Drink More Water

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XtaSeay drinking from a water bottle

Source: STAY HYDRATED | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Stay hydrated – seriously. Not only do we need water to live, but researchers with the Department of Psychology at Tufts University found that even mild levels of dehydration can severely impact our physical and cognitive functioning.

Participants in a study on how mild dehydration effects women published in the Journal of Nutrition experienced headaches, lowered moods, an inability to focus, and perceived tasks as more difficult than they truly were.

A very similar study published in the British Journal of Nutrition analyzed the effects of mild dehydration in men, who experienced increased levels of fatigue and anxiety. Mild dehydration also negatively impacted their working memory and vigilance.

Drinking water isn’t just good for your mental and cognitive functioning, it’s also an asset to your skin and digestive health, according to an infograph released by Seeking Health.

Get out and About in the Great Outdoors

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A Sleeping Fawn

Source: Sleepy Fawn | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Take a step outside and revel in the fresh air (or city smog). Biking and going for walks outside are great exercises that will get you up, active, and off of your tusche. After all, sitting too much is no good for your health.

A recent follow up of an 11-year study found that prolonged periods of sitting were associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, the Annals of Internal Medicine published a study last year analyzing patterns of sedentary behavior in adults. These researchers found participants who spent most of their time engaged in sedentary activities were at the greatest risk of death.

Visiting local nature trails or even packing a picnic to the park are also incredibly relaxing and will help you reconnect with your roots in mother nature.

Embrace Your Inner Creative

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Handmade Greeting Cards, XtaSeay working in Garage Band, Handmade Hot Dog Dog Stickers

Source: Card Making Sesh, WHEN YOU SLEEP (BEHIND THE SCENES), GLOSSY HOT DOG DOG STICKERS FOR SALE! | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Whether your medium is music or you keep your hands busy with arts and crafts, embrace your inner creative.

A hobby is a rewarding and healthy way to express yourself. It allows you to blow of steam and further develop who you are as a person.

The Journal of Positive Psychology recently published a study emphasizing the importance of engaging in creative activities on a daily basis. Their participants reported feeling elevated and flourished on days spent engaged in more creative endeavors than usual.

Creativity reaches far beyond crafting and dabbling in music. In my eyes, everything is a form of art, to some extent.

For some, getting creative may involve writing, chemistry, computer science, or indulging in mathematic exercises.

Practice Mindfulness

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August 16th, 2017

I’m kinda like a hamster, if you think about it hard enough.

Source: Journal Tour // June – September 2017 | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Mindfulness is defined as a state of awareness. It is a measure of your ability to be conscious and fully present in the moment.

Practicing mindfulness begins within yourself and will ultimately benefit how you interact with others as well as the world around you.

Meditation and journaling are methods of self reflection that have withstood the test of time. Actively identifying your emotions is crucial to your mental health, reducing stress and allowing you to grow from what ever may be troubling you.

Keeping a journal or diary doesn’t have to be lengthy or formal. It can be as simple as a few words that summarize your day or perhaps a doodle in a 99¢ spiral notebook. It is purely a matter of preference.

Sleep, Sleep, and Take a Nap or Two

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Rose: DO I REALLY HAVE TO GET OUT OF BED?

Source: Sketchbook Tour // Oct. – Dec. 2018 Penelope Peru Photography P³

While slothfulness is touted as a sin, sleeping is just as important as staying hydrated and nourished.

Sleeping disorders are a global epidemic, researchers found. The Good Body reports that over one third of the adult population in the United States struggle with at least a mild form of insomnia.

A lack of decent sleep is also associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to freelance health writer Denise Mann’s research.

The Department of Pulminary Medicine at the Shree Ramjeevan Choudhary Memorial Hospital and Research Centre also identified a link between sleep disorders and an increased risk of respiratory diseases.

However, I can’t exactly preach the importance of a good night sleep when I’m guilty of being a night owl myself. Or as I call it, being a “reverse night owl”.

My sleeping patterns resemble that of someone who works a night shift. I’m out like a light by the time evening rolls around, I’m up all night long, and I try to squeeze in a nap just before the sun rises to prevent feeling groggy all day.

If you’re in a similar situation, there’s really no use in fighting your natural circadian rhythm. I have struggled to get a proper night’s sleep for as long as I can remember. Finally, I got fed up with staring at the ceiling as the minutes dragged on until dawn. I decided to just embrace my body’s internal clock.

Stay tuned for an upcoming article on How to Cope with Being a Night Owl

As long as you’re getting sleep, even if it is fragmented, your mind and body will thank you.

A new year doesn’t have to mean an entirely new you, but satisfying your basic needs such as staying hydrated, letting your creative side run wild, practicing mindfulness, and getting enough sleep can make you feel brand new.

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