HABITS FOR THE NEW YEAR (THAT EVERYONE CAN COMMIT TO)

Somehow we are fast approaching 2018 (where did the year go?!) So now it's time to reflect on the past 365 days and plan on improving ourselves to make it the best year yet.

Having healthy habits can kickstart your goals that can hopefully carry you throughout the year. If you're anything like me, New Year's resolutions seem a little scary and overwhelming because you have one chance to start with a clean slate at the beginning of the year. 

Photo by Sameer Nasser

It's a great feeling to start with a fresh outlook, but before you know it you're falling short of ever achieving anything. So this next year, I'm starting simple — biggest sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impact. 

JOURNAL ONE THOUGHT/MOMENT FROM YOUR DAY

I really enjoy finding little notes I wrote when I was younger, so I've tried to stick to journaling every year, and each year is a big: FAIL. But this year, I am switching it up — instead of trying to stick to writing a full detailed journal entry, I'm keeping it simple with one moment that happened in my day. 

DRINK EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER PER DAY

Ok, this habit is harder than you think — at least for me it is. I tend to forget to drink water throughout the day, but I'm determined to carry around a water bottle all day, opposed to reaching for sugary drinks (or just sugar in general, hmm perhaps maybe another resolution is in order for that too).

HEALTH, HEALTH, HEALTH

Ugh, I can feel my body and mind getting older, and I do not like it one bit — who agrees?? Luckily, I stay consistently active, but I have to admit I get stuck in one workout. Try implementing new exercises into your routine to keep you learning new things while working different muscles. (Don't forget mental health is just as important as physical health.) 

SAY NO

I'm a people pleaser — I mean, lets be real, who isn't? But when it starts to overtake your happiness, that's when it's a problem. Know your wants and needs and keep that in your focus. It's your life, if someone or something is causing more stress than happiness, then it's time to be honest with yourself (and them) and eliminate it. 

STOP OVERTHINKING

Easier said than done. I am really determined to breathe in positivity and exhale negativity this upcoming year — even if that means it's my own clouded thoughts of myself and my progress. We all find ourselves doing that, we compare and contrast ourselves, it's natural — but it's also unnecessary. Cue cliché quote: "A flower does not think of competing with the next flower, it just blooms."

LESS PHONE, LIVE IN THE PRESENT

Technology is the ULTIMATE blessing and curse. It's incredible, the things we can do with social media and the internet, but it also makes life stale. It will be a work in progress for me — as well as you — I'm sure, since we are all so attached to our computers, phones and iPads, but I want to connect with people in "real life" not social media life.

What healthy habits will you be implementing into your life in 2018?