Creative New Year Resolution Ideas for 2024
By Gabrielle Finora and the Team at LCWNS
Still looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Read this article for some ideas. By Gabrielle Finora and the Team at LCWNS
In 2024, we are focusing on holistic well-being, personal growth, and happiness. Expensive gym memberships are so 2010! Check out these creative ideas for New Year’s resolutions that will leave you with a more well-rounded and happier version of who you already are.
Mindful Mindset Intentions
Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a quick and easy way to feel more present in your life. Research shows that practicing gratitude is consistently associated with greater happiness by relishing good experiences. Gratitude can build stronger relationships, improve health, navigate challenges more effectively, and generally feel more positive.
Increase Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the awareness that comes from purposely, non-judgmentally, paying attention to the present moment. It has been associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, agreeableness, conscientiousness, self-esteem, empathy, sense of autonomy, optimism, pleasantness, and more. Practicing mindfulness is like meditation. Check out this article from the Mayo Clinic for ideas on how to get started.
Personal Growth Intentions
Learn a New Skill or Hobby
Not only does learning a new skill improve courage and self-confidence, but a study also showed that learning multiple real-world skills at the same time, such as new languages and painting, improved cognitive function and functional independence in older adults. Learning just one new skill can increase motivation, beat boredom, and keep your brain flexible and healthy.
Prioritize Mental Health
Prioritizing your mental health can be equally rewarding as your physical health. A few ways to start tending to your mental health include noticing negative self-talk, interrupting repetitive anxious thoughts, and learning to say no. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can create a foundation for a healthier and more balanced mindset.
Connection and Community Intentions
Strengthen Relationships
Relationships can influence mental and physical health, behaviors about health, and even mortality risk – for better and for worse. The magic of positive relationships manifests in lowered rates of anxiety and depression, along with a boost in self-esteem. Choosing to surround ourselves with the right people isn’t just about companionship; it’s a proactive strategy for preventing chronic illnesses and paving the way for a longer, happier journey through life.
Volunteer and Give Back
Studies have shown that volunteering can bring about health benefits at all ages, but specifically in older adults by improving mental and physical health, providing a sense of purpose, fostering new relationships, and teaching valuable skills. Volunteering just a few times
Now that you have an idea of your new intentions, want to get started? Michigan State University recommends writing them down, making a reliable plan on how to work towards your goal, and rallying the support of a friend to help motivate you. Use the “SMART” acronym to make realistic goals. It stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. Check out this resource to help create achievable goals.
If you are interested in exploring more ways to improve your lifestyle and wellness, check out Laura Cipullo’s Whole Nutrition Services offering a range of holistic approaches.
Sources:
Effects of Mindfulness of Psychological Health
Helping people, changing lives: 3 Health Benefits of Volunteering
The Mind-Body Benefits of Learning a New Skill
The Ultimate Guide to S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Social Relationships and Health: A flashpoint for Health Policy
6 Ways to Prioritize your Mental Health
