New Year's Resolutions • volunteer • Health & Wellness • 3 min read • Jan 2, 2014 12:00:00 AM • Written by: Kat Smith
We’ve all been there on February 15th—that day when you’ve eaten an entire box of Valentine’s chocolates and realize that you haven’t even come close to keeping your New Year’s resolution.
If you have failed in keeping your past New Year’s resolutions, you may be setting an overly ambitious target for yourself. Far-reaching goals like losing 25 pounds or giving up caffeine need to be broken down into more attainable and reasonable smaller steps for long-term success. Make this the year that you actually keep your New Year’s promise by trying one of the following bite-sized resolutions instead:
Volunteer For A Cause You Care About
Volunteering is good for your community and may even improve your mood and well-being. According to a study by UnitedHealth Group, a majority of volunteers said giving back made them feel healthier, happier, and less stressed. Volunteers also said they felt a greater sense of purpose and more in control over their own health. Volunteering more can help you to feel grateful for your own gifts and allow you to connect to the people around you. Visit volunteermatch.org to find a way to give back through an organization that you care about.
Drink An Extra Glass of Water Daily
Do you drink enough water each day to stay hydrated? If you don’t drink enough water you may suffer from lethargy, muscle fatigue, headaches, or mental fogginess. Drinking plenty of water also helps to prevent constipation and kidney stones. According to the Institute of Medicine, men need about 13 cups of fluids per day and women need about 9 cups of fluids. With no calories or added sugar, water is one of the healthiest ways to stay hydrated. Plus, drinking enough water can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals.
Eat One Extra Fresh Fruit or Vegetable Per Day
If you are like most Americans, than you may not be eating 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day, which is the average recommended daily serving of fruits and veggies for adults. Without ample fruits and vegetables in your diet, you miss out on beneficial vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that can boost your health. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet by resolving to eat one additional fresh fruit or vegetable every day! This can be a banana in the morning or a snack of baby carrots and hummus in the afternoon. To find out your ideal serving amount for every food group visit choosemyplate.gov.
What is your resolution for the new year? Please share your resolution or questions about healthy resolutions in the comments. We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
