Eat better, exercise more, stress less. These popular new year resolutions have undoubtedly topped your list at least once or twice. A fresh new year brings excitement and it’s hard to resist making plans for the opportunities that come along with a fresh start.

Developing healthy habits is a great way to work towards your long-term goals and achieve wellness in different aspects of your life. Although setting goals requires some introspective thinking (check in with yourself!), sharing your ambitions with likeminded family and friends can offer the support you need to stay on track. Plus, the pursuit of whole-life wellness is always more fun when shared with a friend!

Here are a few simple tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to enhance your wellness journey:

1. Stick to a Schedule

A consistent, familiar routine can help create balance in your hectic life and encourage the mind and body to adopt healthier habits.  Much like eating breakfast or brushing your teeth, habits you developed at a young age, sticking to a schedule can help you create the time and space to develop other healthy habits.

  • Start with a focus on consistent sleep times so you can get the right amount of sleep for your body’s needs.
  • Incorporate time for core daily meals.
  • And don’t forget to schedule time for being active, whether it’s hitting the gym or taking your dog for a spin around the neighbourhood.

It’s easy to miss these important fundamentals when you’re running full steam 24-7. peace_and_calming_5mlStick to your schedule, and you will soon find yourself living a more balanced life.

You may also consider the time you set aside for core meals, or physical activity an opportunity to disconnect from your devices. It can be as simple as shutting off screens at the dinner table, or while spending time outside or at the gym with a friend. Regardless of what you choose to do with your time away from your devices, your relationships and connections with friends and family will improve simply by allowing yourself to be free of distractions and present in the moment.

Tip: Diffuse your favourite uplifting oils like Joy or Peace & Calming while you plan out your week to encourage feelings of happiness and calm.

2. Make Mindful Meals

While we’re all for treating yo’self when it comes to the food you eat, try these tips to keep your nutrition goals on track:

  • Eat out less. This can be easier said than done, but simple tasks like packing your own lunch can save you money and empty calories. Some weekend meal prep can also help when the day gets away from you. If you are eating out, look for lean proteins and choose at least one steamed veggie dish.
  • Snack healthier. While grabbing a bag of chips or that sugary can of pop can seem like a tasty option when the snack urge hits, keep an emergency snack supply with you so you’ll always have something nutritious on-hand. Our go-to favourites are wholesome snack bars and a can of NingXia Zyng which leaves the artificial flavours (and guilt) behind.

3. Practice Gratitude

Start feeling more optimistic and better about yourself and your life immediately. When you are grateful, you stop focusing on all the negative emotions and things that are lacking in your life and embrace the abundance of positive energy around you. This shift in attitude can offer countless benefits including healthier relationships and more opportunities.

  • A consistent practice of gratitude can help provide the mind and heart an added measure of strength to face life’s ups and downs with grace and confidence. Keep a journal and write down things you are thankful for before you go to sleep or first thing in the morning when you wake up. Concentrating on the positive can turn an otherwise stressful, negative day into a happier, fulfilling one.
  • Give back and share your talent or knowledge to help someone out. Perhaps you decide to donate your time or money to a cause you believe in, or even just share time-saving tips with your busiest friends; paying it forward never goes unnoticed.
  • Expressing simple words of gratitude like “Thank you” or “I appreciate you” can go a long way. Do you have a friend, family member, or co-worker deserving of a compliment? Share your praise! Not only do you become more mindful of your positivity, but it’ll also have a positive impact on the people you interact with.

Remember to be patient with yourself. Small changes can make a big difference in your physical, mental and emotional health. Incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine is a process and doesn’t have to happen overnight.

There will be times you may forget or get out of practice, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. Keep pushing yourself (and your friends) and instead of falling off the wagon for good, have a plan for when missteps happen so that you can focus the best part of your energy on moving forward and getting back to the basics!

What are some changes you’re making for a better you this year? Let us know in the comments below!

This post is also available in: French