Jump into January 2020

As we head into January, the New year/new me resolutions start formulating in your mind …....sure, who doesn't want to earn more money, travel extensively and lose a few kilos..but sometimes we put huge expectations on achieving multiple goals that we beat ourselves up if we fail to fulfill our them.

That said, how about you consider a couple of alternatives....instead of adding more stress and pressure into your life with goals you feel you need to accomplish over the next 12 months, why not start off with smaller, possibly more achievable goals?

Spend time outdoors

Spending time outside has been known in assisting in improving health and happiness, it can also help in reducing stress levels, blood pressure and not to mention your heart rate. Being outside also encourages physical activity (yes, I mean exercise) and can also help in changing your mood and support mental health. In 2020, make nature your friend.

Laugh more

Laughing is the best medicine (so they say). Laughter can boost or change your mood, decrease sadness, and can alleviate the effects of stress. Humour can not only connect you with others (hands up if you've ever tarting laughing at someone else laughing?) but it can also help you release anger and maybe even shift some of the burdens resting on your shoulders. Lets be honest, who here doesn't love a good old fashioned, tears streaming down your face, clutching at your stomach, gasping for air belly laugh?

Travel locally

Explore your own backyard and support local businesses. Some of the benefits of exploring locally - it allow you to be spontaneous...you can literally jump in the car and drive for a couple of hours and find a hidden gem. You are also supporting local businesses (cafes, restaurants, boutiques, gift shops etc), but you are also end up educating yourself....who knows what history you'll learn exploring the local museums or talking to the locals. We really do live in a beautiful country, so why wouldn't you want to see and learn more about it?

Invest in your mind

Why not enroll in that course you've always wanted to do...who knows, by learning a new skill, it could possibly help you get a promotion in your current job or even help change your career path altogether. The possibilities for learning are endless; you could enroll in your local community college or study online, attend a talk conducted by an expert, watch TED talks, listen to podcasts etc.

Studying isn't the only way you can invest in your mind, you can always read more....reading can spark your imagination and it can also broaden your mind by allow you to access to some of the greatest thinkers and writers of the world.

You can also invest in your mind by mediation or yoga. By practicing regular yoga on a regular basis and incorporating meditation, can help create mental clarity and calmness, relaxes your mind, centre your attention and also heighten concentration.

Express love and gratitude

Why not tell one person each week that you love them? It is so easy to get caught up and distracted nowadays and we can forget to tell people that we care about them. This year, make it a special promise to yourself that you’ll tell at least one person, each week, that you love them and that you’re grateful to have them in your life.

Buy a plant

Not only will you be creating better air quality for your home or office, but nurturing a plant can help you emotionally as well. While you’re at it, buy a nice pot to plant it in, and place your new plant somewhere where it will give you joy.

Digital Detox

One night a week, choose to have a “no television” night and put your phone, laptop down. Read a book. Work on a craft project. Play a game. Write a story. Take a walk. Involve your family and friends to come up with creative and fun things you can do without any devices.

By all means, still set yourself that goal and work towards achieving it, but by adding a few of the smaller goals mentioned in this blog, it may just help take some of the pressure off of yourself and assist in looking after YOU and help you in actually achieve said goal.

So, go on, go jump into January with all gusto and enthusiasm a new year has to offer – but be gentle on yourself and treat yourself with kindness....it may just make all the difference helping you achieve your goals.