2015Â was the year that being healthy became totally cool. So why do we still feel so totally burnt out all the time? As we approach the beginning of a whole new year, we should start thinking about what we can change and do better to lead healthier lives. Here are just a few ways to take better care of yourself in 2016:
- Admit you hate kale. When you’re trying to be healthy and totally miserable, that’s a sure sign that what you’re doing just isn’t working. Forcing yourself to like something that is essentially bitter and gross is no way to take care of yourself. But your mom was right – you do need to eat some green stuff if you want to be somewhat healthy.
- Work out, don’t just talk about it. Don’t become the Workout Selfie Girl that everyone hates, but there’s nothing wrong with exercising and loving it. If the idea of breaking a sweat makes you break out in hives, then you need to find something to do that you actually find fun. The important thing is just to move your body.
- Start to hate your iPhone. The iPhone has honestly ruined our emotional and mental health on some level. We can never relax and can never stop checking our social media accounts or email in case something absolutely amazing has happened. The majority of the time, it’s business as usual, so if you can stop glaring at that tiny screen on weeknights and weekends (at least for a few hours), you’ll feel much more calm. Which is what your time off is supposed to do, right?
- Cut down on the binge-watching. Don’t cut it out entirely. But as much as we love our Netflix – so much that it’s even become a thing in dating – it’s not doing any wonders for our emotional or physical health. You can 100 percent watch as much as TV as you want as long as you’re still eating properly, seeing your friends as often as you can and getting sweaty. Even if you take a walk around the block a few times during a Saturday afternoon binge session, that’ll help.
- Learn to sleep. Of course you know how to sleep. But are you really getting enough? And how’s your sleep quality? If you wake up totally and completely exhausted even after 8-10 hours which is generally the recommended amount, maybe you’re tossing and turning due to work or relationship stress. If you can figure your sleep issues out and get enough rest, your entire life will seem so much easier.
- Break up with some friends. Friendship breakups are literally the worst. They hurt even more then when a romantic relationship ends because while we know that love dies, we’re brought up from a young age to think that friendship is forever. Chances are, you’re friends with at least one toxic person and you know exactly who that is. You’ve been close with them for so long that cutting them out of your life seems crazy, and yet they insult you, emotionally manipulate you, and/or whine and complain 24/7. Your health will thank you if you stop dealing with such a negative person.
- Work towards a goal. It doesn’t matter how big or small. It doesn’t matter if it’s personal (like learning to run) or professional (like starting your own freelance business). Goal-setting is pretty awesome because you not only feel amazing when you reach the end point but you feel productive along the way and like you’re doing something important. That’s super crucial to your mental health.
- Stop being so vague. We live in a pretty casual time when we cancel plans at the drop of a hat and don’t want to label anything. We claim we don’t know where want to go for dinner and seem totally paralyzed when it comes to making any kind of decision. If you can be honest and clear about what you want – even if it’s just pizza over Chinese – it’ll make a difference.
- Figure out why you’re procrastinating. This is a pretty big time-suck because although we think we’re still being productive – we’re just doing something else instead of the thing we’re supposed to be doing – we’re not. It’s impossible to focus on other stuff when a huge deadline is looming over your head like the scariest storm cloud. Instead of just vowing to end procrastination once and for all, try asking yourself what you’re so afraid of. This is a helpful tactic and will make your work life a lot easier.
- Do what you actually like to do. It could be rewatching all your old favorite ’90s dramas. It could be knitting or baking elaborate cakes that only you get to eat (score) or going on a solo weekend trip because your friends hate the idea of hiking. If you can make more time in your crazy busy life for what makes you happy, 2016 is going to be your best year yet.
