For many people, the advent of the New Year brings a sense of excitement and anticipation, along with a renewed determination to make life a little better than it was the year before. One of the most popular ways to get the ball rolling in this regard is to create a list of New Year’s resolutions. While each person’s list of resolutions is going to look different, there are some ideas that can apply to virtually anyone who is looking to create positive change in their life. Below are some practical yet powerful resolutions to consider adding to your list for the New Year.
- Declutter your home.
It’s amazing how many things we accumulate over the years that quite honestly do little more than take up space. Many of us have boxes full of knick-knacks we haven’t looked at in several years, or file cabinets full of papers that we know need to be shredded. The interesting thing about it is that while these items are taking up physical space, they’re also taking up space in our minds. Go through your stuff and begin to purge any items that aren’t necessary by giving or donating what’s useful, and then throwing away the rest. You’ll find that as you declutter your living space, you’ll achieve a higher level of mental clarity as well.
- Develop healthier habits.
We all know the amazing benefits that healthy eating and regular physical exercise can bring, so now it’s just a matter of doing a little bit every day to develop healthier habits. Start out by going for a brisk walk at least three times a week, and make it a point to add more whole foods (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables) to each meal. Taking small, wellness-focused steps such as these can do wonders for improving your physical and mental health, and the positive results will become evident over time.
- Practice gratefulness.
No matter where you are in life, there’s always something you can be thankful for. Practice acknowledging the good things you have in your life and it will keep you in a mindset of gratefulness, which is far better than focusing on what you don’t have. Each day, try to think of at least three things to be thankful for and consider journaling these thoughts as well. You would be surprised at how your perspective will change for the better when you practice gratefulness on a daily basis.
- Consider registering to become an organ donor.
Organ donation is a selfless act that can impact other people’s lives in ways that simply cannot be measured. The fact that there are currently over 115,000 people on the national organ transplant waiting list is a sobering thought in and of itself, but it becomes even more urgent when you realize that a new person is added to that list every 10 minutes. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, creating a ripple effect of hope that can bring new life not only to the transplant recipients but also to their families and loved ones as well. If you haven’t yet done so, decide to register as an organ donor. You never know how the decision you make today will positively affect – or even save – the life of one or more individuals in the future. Now that’s a life-changing, impact-making New Year’s resolution that is definitely worth keeping!
