By Dr. Trina Ting
We all have tried New Year’s Resolutions, and they tend to not stick for good reasons. Successful change in habits don’t happen overnight or with sheer willpower. Healthy habits stick around once we can consistently do them and they become a part of our lifestyle. Here are 5 simple things you can do today (even now!), and if you end up doing them consistently, your future self will thank you.
1. Drink 1 Cup of Water: take that water bottle out of your cupboard and put it on your desk or in your bag. By placing it in your daily line of sight, you may be more likely to fill it and actually drink it. We all know water intake is important, but it can be as simple as just having one extra glass per day. You can also try just placing a water bottle beside your coffee maker or by your toothbrush, to hydrate immediately upon waking, giving yourself that cushion of hydration and starting your day off right.
2. Say One Positive Thing to Yourself: What does your inner voice say to you all day? What does it say to you when you make a mistake? You might sadly find it to be quite negative and harsh, as we tend to be our own worst critics. Next time you make a mistake, say, “You did your best” instead of saying, “I’m so dumb!”
3. Call a Friend: When was the last time you made a social connection? Reach out to a friend you haven’t seen in a while and make a date in real life. Humans need social connections more than ever. The first step is making the effort to reach out.
4. Laugh: Watch, read or listen to something that will make you laugh. Studies have consistently shown that laughter improves mood in the short-term and long-term, having effects such as decreased anxiety and depression, long after the actual act of laughing has passed. Pin a funny comic to your fridge if you don’t want to scroll through the negative social media memes to get to the good ones.
5. Stand Up Straighter: Better posture has actually been shown to improve your mood, decrease cortisol and make you feel more confident. So listen to your mom or your friendly chiropractor, and sit up straight! If you have difficulty being upright, definitely call us for an adjustment to help with that.
These are just a few tips you can do immediately to improve your health. If you can do any of these on a regular basis, you will be improving your health in the long-term as well. Here’s to a healthy 2025!
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