As this year gives way to the next, our thoughts inevitably turn to New Year’s resolutions. Too often, people make resolutions that end up adding more work to an already packed schedule. Is it any wonder that the average New Year’s resolution fails in less than four months? It’s time we take a different approach. Instead of loading yourself up with must-dos, use our New Year self care suggestions as a guide for your resolutions. These guidelines apply no matter what your specific health goals might be.
Understand self care
Embrace the full meaning of self care. It’s not just the fluffy stuff that gets shared on social media, like bubble baths and facials (though we love those, too!). True self-care means nurturing your present and future selves. Sometimes it’s kicking back with a good book and a cup of tea. Sometimes it’s meeting the challenge of processing unresolved trauma to reach a healthier mental state.
Give yourself permission
The modern world is so busy, with innumerable tasks constantly vying for attention. To truly benefit from self-care, give yourself permission to take that time. If that’s hard for you, just remember the standard airline safety spiel: Put on your own oxygen mask first. How can you be any good for others if you aren’t being good for yourself?
Prioritize rest
If you do only one thing for self care in the New Year, commit to getting adequate rest. Lack of sleep puts your mind and body into survival mode, where it’s much harder to make sensible decisions that are good for you and your loved ones. Everything else, from getting up to getting through your daily commitments, is easier when your mind and body are well-rested.
Focus on your future self
When you set your New Year’s resolutions, imagine the person you’d like to be by the end of the year. Who is that person as a professional, parent, partner and friend? What lifestyle choices does this version of yourself make? Tuning into your future self helps you set resolutions that take you where you want to go versus checking an arbitrary box.
Make resolutions that fit
The last step is to make sure your resolutions resonate with who you are, who you’re becoming, your lifestyle and your worldview. Always frame them positively (drink more tea vs. drink less coffee), and make sure they’re resolutions that are personally inspiring to you, not just ones that are trending or popular with those around you.
Also, choose goals that work well together, not that contradict. Each goal should be rooted in a model of self-care that fills your cup, replenishing yourself rather than following that voice in your head saying you “should” do this or “should not” do that.
Self care is hard but worthwhile. You can make the New Year your time to become the best, most authentic, and healthiest version of yourself. It all starts with allowing yourself the space and time you need and setting the goals that resonate most deeply with the person you are becoming.