By Courtney M. Ferguson, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Fostoria Primary Care

As the new year offers a symbolic clean slate, many will find themselves setting New Year’s resolutions. A common goal that people set for the new year is to lose weight, but this is not the only way to improve health and wellness. Below, we explore ideas for resolutions, aside from diet and exercise.

I challenge you to set boundaries with your screen time. Setting daily limits for your personal electronic use will free up time in the day for you to focus on other tasks or spend some time practicing self-care. Excessive social media exposure can lead to unrealistic expectations, contribute to unproductive time during the day, and interrupt sleep patterns. Rather than scrolling on your phone in the evening, create a calming bedtime routine and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. 

PAGE 2 ▶︎ Dedicate time on a daily and/or weekly basis to activities that are peaceful and restoring. Read a chapter out of a book or soak in a warm bath. Focus on your breath and surroundings while you meditate for 5-10 minutes each day to relieve stress and anxiety. Stretch to relieve muscle tension and stress. Spend time outdoors and boost your mental health by taking a short walk to get a few more steps in for the day.

Take a few minutes each day to jot down some of your thoughts and feelings in a journal. This will help you to process emotions from the day and track personal growth throughout the year. Finish your journal entry by writing down a few things that you are grateful for to help keep a positive outlook on life. 

Reduce clutter and organize your space to create a less stressful environment and boost productivity. Start small by focusing on one closet at a time, then move room to room. Challenge yourself to learn a new skill or hobby to boost self-confidence and exercise your brain. Aim to prepare more home-cooked meals, which allows you to better control the ingredients and limit intake of fats, sugars, and salt often found in take-out meals. 

Volunteering in your community can help create a sense of purpose and foster social connection. Practice active listening to nurture old and new relationships and provide a stronger sense of connection. 

Improving diet and increasing physical activity are always great personal goals to set; however, the social and emotional aspects of health are equally as important. Practice self-care, mindfulness, and gratitude. Connect with others and stay active. Create a calming and organized living space to boost productivity as well as relaxation. Challenge yourself this year in more ways than one to achieve an overall happier, healthier version of yourself.

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