It’s time to welcome the new year. What better way than to kick off 2024 on a clean slate with resolutions that are good for your well-being and, most importantly, attainable?
For many, the start of a new year is an opportunity to reflect on their life and think about what they would like to achieve in the future. You don’t have to reach for sky-high goals. Embrace attainable ones by making room for routines and habits that will make you feel good about yourself.
Learn a New Language
Have you always wanted to master a new language or brush up on one you’ve lost touch with? With today’s plethora of language-learning apps and online courses available, there’s little excuse not to do so this year! Among the most widely used apps worldwide is Duolingo, which claims that dedicating just five minutes to it daily can help you master a new language. Since the programme is free, it’s worth giving it a shot.
Meal Prep
Meal prepping involves preparing meals ahead of time, providing convenient access to nutritious food while also being budget-friendly. While it may appear daunting, it’s easier than it looks: you can easily cook a generous batch of brown rice, steamed vegetables, and a healthy protein source such as grilled chicken or tofu. Portion these into individual containers, refrigerate, and heat up when you’re ready to consume them.
Go Outside
Indoor workouts like gym sessions and spin classes are fun, but nothing beats being outdoors and taking in fresh air while you pound the pavements or make use of the free fitness equipment available at most public parks in Singapore. Another advantage of exercising outdoors is that sunshine increases serotonin, a feel-good hormone.
Adios, Facebook
Social media is part and parcel of our lives now, but it doesn’t have to be. While it’s not necessary to go off it altogether, it can be beneficial to take a short break occasionally or limit your time spent on it. Apart from physical benefits like reduced eye or neck strain – a result of too much screen time – it also promotes good mental health, such as better self-worth, and encourages more meaningful social interactions and relationships.
Sleep Tight
It is recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep nightly. If you’re having difficulty catching enough forty winks, there are some practices you can adopt to ensure a good night’s rest. One of the biggest sleep thieves these days is excessive use of electronic devices before bedtime, as it can affect melatonin production, a hormone that aids sleep. Apart from making your bedroom a mobile phone or laptop-free zone, other good sleep habits include keeping a consistent sleep schedule and not consuming caffeinated beverages in the afternoons or evenings.
Get Yourself Checked
When was the last time you had a dental or full body checkup? If you’re not sure, then it’s most certainly time to arrange for one this new year! These check-ups help your doctor or dentist ascertain if you have any issues – the earlier treated, the better! Even if you’re blessed with good health, consider these check-ups as the green lights for your peace of mind.
Stay Booze-free
Good news for the teetotaller or social drinker – there are now plenty of alcohol-free or low-alcohol wines, beer, or cocktails on the market! While a few glasses of wine a week are touted to have health benefits, it is better to drink less alcohol in the long run. If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, most good bars in Singapore offer mocktails with all the sophistication of a boozy drink sans the booze. You can even shake up a good one at home, with ingredients such as alcohol-free gin and bitters, available at most good supermarkets or online.
