Wellness in 2024
10 ways to Kickstart your New Year
As we step into 2024, it's essential to embrace the new year with intention, mindfulness, and a renewed commitment to self-care and personal wellness. To kickstart a healthier lifestyle and become an improved version of our best selves, here are ten things to consider:
1. Start each day with a moment of reflection or meditation to set positive intentions.
2. Prioritize regular physical activity that brings joy, whether it's walking, dancing, or practicing yoga.
3. Incorporate more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods into your meals. I do this by spending some time thinking about what types of foods I want to eat in a given week and reserving time on the weekend for meal prep, making healthy choices much easier.
4. Cultivate a consistent sleep schedule to ensure proper rest and rejuvenation. Circadian rhythm plays an important role in our health. Revisit your nighttime habits; is there room for improvement? I use a bedtime reminder that helps me gauge when to go to bed and gauge the quality of my sleep. A change I plan to make in the evenings, soon, is implementing a red light from the Sunlight store.
5. Engage in activities that promote mental well-being, such as journaling or therapy. It is easy to bypass these things due to a lack of time, but even a few minutes of quiet reflection each day is beneficial. This year, we’ll talk more about inspirations that move us toward positive choices.
6. Limit screen time and make space for offline hobbies and connections. Boy! Doesn’t this one provide us a challenge, but the good thing is, it is low-hanging fruit and small changes can be made with a decision to decrease this addictive habit. One of my absolute favorite books that has helped me overcome bad habits and implement good ones is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I cannot say enough good things about it.
7. Practice gratitude by keeping a daily journal or expressing thanks to loved ones. This can be as simple as doing one thing a day, such as a thank you or compliment. ‘Passing it on’ is a powerful gesture of positivity that makes everyone’s day better.
8. Set boundaries to manage stress and create a healthy work-life balance. This is a tough one for many of us! Something that I like to keep in mind and one of the most important things that I have ever heard is to reframe thoughts so that you are saying ‘yes’ to yourself, your needs, and priorities… not ‘no’ to someone else.
9. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Help your body detoxify and process by getting enough water each day. I supplement my water intake daily with this hydrogen water bottle.
10. Seek support from friends, family, or a wellness community to stay motivated on this journey toward holistic health and well-being. Find something you love or would like to do and make room for it in your week. Add it to the calendar and plan to do it at that time and date.
This well-rounded approach to wellness in 2024 incorporates mindful practices, physical activity, healthy eating, and positive mental habits. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in creating a healthier and more balanced life. Here's to a year of self-care and well-being!
Tip: For an instant lift, I love an essential oil diffuser, like this one on Amazon, ASAKUKI Oil Diffuser. Some great essential oils to get started: White Sage and Palo Santo Essential Oil and 7 Chakras Essential Oil. If you want to meditate, this Chakra Candle is lovely. If mediation is not your thing, just taking 10 minutes out of your day to relax and come to awareness will support your wellness ~ brew a cup of Yogi Tea and reset.
