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New Years Resolution Ideas - Top 10 Changes For A Healthy 2020

With 2020 just around the corner, it’s time to start getting together your list of healthy new year’s resolution ideas. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 healthy resolutions you can make, and how to make them stick.

FirstQuote Health Staff
Published on
April 22, 2020
Last Updated on
May 16, 2023
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It’s officially the new year, new me time of year again, and you know what that means. Millions of people across the globe are taking the opportunity to jot down their new year’s resolutions in an effort to better their lives and the lives of others. Some of the most popular resolutions include things like saving more money, learning new skills, and leading a healthier lifestyle.

Top 10 Healthy New Year’s Resolution Ideas

Yes, healthy new year’s resolutions may be unoriginal, but the fact of the matter is, it’s never a bad idea to take steps towards a happier and healthier life. Taking time to reflect on your choices can prove to be helpful in more ways than you may realize. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 new year’s resolution ideas for a healthier you.

Watch What You Eat

According to most polls, eating healthier is among the most popular new year’s resolutions that people make. Eating healthier provides numerous health benefits, and is a resolution you are in total control of.

For starters, switching up your diet to include more servings of fruits and vegetables can actually reduce your risk for heart disease, along with helping protect you from certain cancers. By cutting down on processed foods, and those meals that are high in the fight, you may also see yourself coasting through the day with newfound energy. It also doesn’t hurt that eating right can help you shed a few of those pounds you’ve been struggling with.

Get Up, And Get Active

This one is also incredibly popular, and probably something that already made your list. We’re gonna throw it in here anyway because the health benefits are up there with getting your body the right nutrients. Being active can mean anything, as long as your not sitting on your super comfy couch binge-watching your favorite shows all day. Any movement that makes your muscles work will help you reach your goal, and stick to your resolution.

Aside from weight loss, being active can help improve your mood, and result in feeling happier. By increasing the production of endorphins, you will, in turn, produce more positive feelings. Being active can also help combat negative feelings, such as depression. The best part? You can yield these results from even the smallest of workouts.

Now, we’re not saying you need to join a gym (although many people do), but even taking a walk around the block each day can help you follow through with your new year’s resolution. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even become one of those people who hike on the weekends, but make sure you don’t burn yourself out too fast. The key here is staying consistently active.

Finally Shed Those Pounds

Weight loss goes hand in hand with leading a healthier lifestyle, but setting small goals for yourself could actually help you stick to your healthy new year’s resolutions. Shedding a few pounds has countless health benefits, which include:

  • Lowered risk of diabetes
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Lower risk for heart disease
  • Lower risk for certain cancers
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Decreased stress
  • Better sleep
  • Higher self-esteem and confidence
  • Better mood

Regardless of your reasoning for wanting to lose some weight, the sheer number of health benefits are well worth adding this to your list of new year’s resolutions for 2020. Remember, weight loss is a journey, and often takes time. You probably won’t see results right away, but don’t be discouraged. In this case, slow and steady really does win the race.

Spending Time With Loved Ones

This one sounds easy, but between the chaos of our schedules, we often tend to drift away from those we care about. Really think about it, do you really spend as much time as you’d like with friends and family?

People are social beings, it’s ingrained in the very fabric of our DNA. So, it comes as no surprise that a number of studies have reported better emotional health in those who spend more time around people they have a connection with. One of the most important benefits of this resolution is reducing you likelihood of suffering from clinical depression. This list is about more than just keeping your body healthy, it’s about keeping your mind healthy as well.

Limit Your Alcohol

You may already be swearing off alcohol on January 1, depending on how much you had to drink to ring in the new year. Every time we are struggling with a hangover, we all claim that we are done with alcohol, but that’s rarely the case. While we’re not saying eliminate alcohol completely, limiting the amount you drink can help you lead a better life.

First off, alcohol affects your brain more than most other things you put in your body. There’s a reason people ask you what’s your poison? From the moment alcohol enters your body, it begins to disrupt the inner workings of your brain, making it difficult for nerve cells to communicate with one another. The result can be a swing in mood, behavior, and coordination, which is why you see so many people slurring and stumbling.

High alcohol intake can also have negative effects on your liver, the part of your body tasked with breaking it down to eliminate it from your body. It has the potential to lead to fatty liver disease, inflammation of the liver, and even structural damage. Again, you may not have to cut alcohol out of your life completely, but reducing the amount you drink is a great new year’s resolution.

Preventive Services

If you don’t have health insurance, it’s probably best you start here. If you already have health coverage, then you should definitely consider taking advantage of your preventive services. Things like checkups and wellness visits are a great way to start taking care of your health, and better yet, can actually save you money down the road.

Drop Your Bad Habits

We all have bad habits, little vices here and there that actually affect our health more than we may realize. However, the one that is most common is smoking, which is why quitting should be on your list of new year’s resolutions. Before you ask, that includes vaping as well, which comes with its own list of health risks.

Any way you put it, there are very few health benefits of smoking, but those benefits don’t hold a candle to the harm you are doing to your body. You probably already heard the horror stories from lifetime smokers, and have attempted to quit, but this year is going to be different. There are so many support groups and aids to helping you kick your cigarette addiction, so why not get a jump start on this one a bit early?

Spend More Time Outdoors

This one is easy, and actually fun. Stop reminiscing about your childhood days spent at the park or beach, and get a group of friends together for a trip down memory lane. Just being outside has tons of health benefits, and you don’t even have to be active.

Have you ever heard people refer to the sun as their source for Vitamin D? Well, if you have, that’s because it is. According to research, when the sun hits your skin, it begins what is known as the circuitous process. A process in which your liver and kidney, along with the rest of your body work together to create a form of Vitamin D, which helps fight cancer and osteoporosis among other things.

Being outside also helps you feel happier, which is a common theme among our top 10 list of new year’s resolutions. Not just stay happier, you’ll also improve your concentration, which can help you excel in other areas of your life. So, grab some friends, games, and food, and head to the park for a day of fun.

Eliminate Stress In Your Life

It’s nearly impossible to eliminate all stress from your life, but there are ways you can reduce it, and the benefits work wonders. Try any one of these simple ways to lead a more stress-free life:

  • Try meditation
  • Practice yoga
  • Exercise
  • Take up gardening
  • Learn to manage time
  • Travel
  • Take a sick day
  • Eat right
  • Lower your caffeine intake

There are plenty of ways you can reduce the stress in your life, and this list only touches on a few easy ways you can accomplish your goal. Stress isn’t only mental, if left unchecked, it can actually take a toll on your physical health. So make sure you are taking care of yourself just a little bit better in 2020.

Focus On Yourself

We know, this is extremely corny but extremely important. Which is why we decided to round out our list of top 10 new year’s resolution ideas with a greater focus on yourself. Everything on the list has led us here, and it’s important to remember that staying healthy starts with you.

Take time out of your day to have some time to yourself. Whether it be a hobby you enjoy to reduce stress, cooking a healthy meal or hitting the gym, spending time on yourself is a crucial first step to leading a happier and healthier life.

How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Planning out your new year’s resolutions for 2020 is the easy part, but making them stick, that’s where things get tricky. In fact, it’s estimated that around 80% of people give up on their resolutions by February, just a month in. If you’re looking to be the exception to the rule, then here are a few tips to remember.

First, make sure you start small. Setting small goals for yourself, or taking a baby step, is a perfect way to keep yourself motivated and on track. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, set small goals that you can reach. Rather than trying to drop 20 pounds in a month, try shooting for 5 pounds instead. That way you’ll see progress without getting burnt out.

Another thing you can do is talk about it through support groups, or with family and friends. Putting your goals out there for the world to see is one way of keeping you honest, and a great way to create a support system to help you with your journey for a healthier you.

The last thing you want to do is beat yourself up. Everyone is going to slip up, miss a day at the gym, or give in to a craving, but that doesn’t mean your resolution is over. Leading a healthier lifestyle is a process, and a minor setback really isn’t the end of the world. Hopefully, we’ve helped give you some ideas for some healthy and happy new year’s resolutions!

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