"New year, new me," is what people say in January. Don't overdo it with unrealistic resolutions, and for 2024, choose ones that don't aim to radically change your life. Opt for something that might just improve it a little.
Most people abandon their New Year's resolutions by February 1st. One published study claims that almost half of people even expect not to keep their New Year's resolution from the very first day. The appropriate question, then, is why even bother with a New Year's resolution if we ourselves are not convinced we will be able to stick to it?
Psychologists often attribute unfulfilled resolutions to a lack of planning, excessive expectations, weak support from others, as well as a lack of time or money. Do it differently this year. Don't put too much burden on yourself and don't think that on the first of January you'll wake up as a completely new person with the motivation to go to the gym every other day.
Start gently with a resolution that doesn't aim to radically change your life. Find one that only seeks to improve it in a healthy way. Here are some tips.
1. I will walk more
We all know that any physical activity is not only beneficial but essential for our body. However, not everyone loves going to the gym, running, or exercising with weights. If you also have trouble "falling in love with movement," start with a simple walk.
According to Harvard University, walking can be extremely beneficial for women because it can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. The truth is, any movement helps reduce this risk, but a study by the American Cancer Society found that women who walked seven or more hours per week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or less.
And though you might not have thought of it, walking also helps us control our sweet cravings. Just a 15-minute walk can keep chocolate cravings at bay, and even reduce the amount of chocolate you usually indulge in during stressful situations.
2. I will drink more water (and less alcohol)
The average man should drink 3.7 liters of fluids daily, while the average woman should drink 2.7 liters. Honestly, do you meet this? If not, the new year is the right time to get a light bottle that fits in your handbag or laptop bag and will accompany you wherever you go.
Hydration is even more important, especially after nights when we've slept only six hours or less. After poor or insufficient sleep, we are more prone to dehydration because the hormone that regulates water retention in the body is only released in later stages of sleep. Keep this in mind next time you're drinking your third coffee after a night of poor sleep.
You can also improve your sleep, immunity, mood, skin, and digestion in the new year by reducing alcohol consumption. Try to learn new healthy rituals. Relax after a demanding day with Care Water BALANCE, featuring marine magnesium, iron, vitamin E, and a blend of 6 essential vitamins that collectively contribute to inner balance, stress relief, and overall nervous system health.
3. Sleep routine will be my priority
It's paradoxical how many problems regular and quality sleep could solve, yet we still underestimate it. In the new year, make sure you get enough quality sleep. If you don't know how, start by following some basic rules of sleep hygiene.
- Avoid short "naps" and hold out until evening.
- Don't go to bed unless you feel sleepy.
- Don't divide sleep into weekdays and weekends. Both should last equally long.
- Avoid mobile phones and any screens for at least an hour before bedtime. Dim the lamps and lights in the house too.
- Naturally, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy, peppery, and acidic foods before bed. Also, skip sweets. If you need something to munch on, opt for fruit or lean proteins.
4. I will learn to love vegetables
You don't have to start with tomatoes and cucumbers, which truly lack their typical flavor in winter. If you have trouble adding vegetables to your plate, try baking them. Baking not only gives vegetables a beautiful color but also a more pronounced flavor.
How to do it? Simply cut your preferred vegetables into smaller cubes, arrange them on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, season with salt and pepper, add olive oil, and bake (softer types for a shorter time, harder vegetables for longer). If you've had trouble falling in love with salads until now, you'll see that you'll love delicious, warm roasted vegetables.
5. I will make my bed every morning
It might seem like a small thing, but even something as minor as making your bed first thing in the morning can start your day off right. If you long for a truly productive day, begin by making your bed.
Tip: Do you have a challenging day ahead filled with meetings, appointments, or presentations? Do you need to focus on an important task? Try the functional drink Care Water BRAIN with clinically and scientifically proven ingredients, such as Alpha GPC and Acetyl-L-carnitine. This drink with green lemon and pomelo flavor will not only keep you alert but also stimulate cognitive activity, learning, and overall concentration when tackling demanding tasks.
6. I'll put more citrus in my shopping basket (and vitamin C)
Do you see all those colorful tangerines, grapefruits, oranges, and pomelos in the shops? Now is the perfect time not just to admire them on the shelf, but to put them in your basket. Citrus fruits can help your skin look healthy thanks to the vitamin C they contain. Vitamin C, among other things, helps produce that popular substance known as collagen.
A study in the professional journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who consumed foods high in vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less dry skin than those who avoided citrus and other vitamin C-rich foods.
Vitamin C is also part of the CARE LAB vitamin blend found in each of our functional drinks. The vitamin blend contains six essential vitamins: C, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12.
7. I'll cook something completely new
Eating healthier in the new year is a resolution we make almost every year and fail to keep every single year. What if this year you changed it to cooking something completely new at least once a month?
Healthy eating is extremely important, but its diversity is also important. Browse a cookbook or "google" a completely new recipe to add to your culinary portfolio.
8. I will liven up my home with plants (or at least one)
Did you know that the mere presence of houseplants can help reduce stress? Add marine magnesium and the delicious lavender flavor with orange notes in the functional drink Care Water BALANCE, and you'll see that stress will no longer be what keeps you awake at night. Gardening and plant care not only calms us but also can help reduce blood pressure.
Green houseplants can also serve as natural humidifiers. If you're struggling with dry air in your home, don't hesitate to invest in a houseplant, such as a fern, which will naturally, efficiently, and affordably humidify the air.
9. I'll sort out my wardrobe, for real this time
"That'll still come in handy. I'll lose weight to fit into that again." Do these phrases sound familiar to you? If so, throw them out of your vocabulary just like you remove those three-year-old jeans whose zipper only makes you sad from your wardrobe.
Generally, the rule is that if you haven't worn something in the last year, it's time for it to leave your wardrobe. Of course, you don't have to throw away items you no longer wear, don't fit, or don't suit your lifestyle. You can donate them or even sell them.
10. Every day, I will dedicate time just for myself
Self-care doesn't just mean eating healthy, exercising enough, and going to bed at a reasonable hour. Set aside time each day just for yourself. No, it's not selfish; it's an investment in your mental health. By dedicating just a few minutes a day to yourself, you can reduce stress, "reset" your brain, focus, and concentration.
Dedicating more time to herself is a resolution that CARE LAB Divas CEO, Lucia Tarnóczy, plans to make for 2024: "I don't usually make big resolutions. I try to work on what I want to improve in my life all year round, not just in January. For 2024, however, I wish I could find a little more time for myself. I would like to enjoy more of those peaceful moments when I just read a book, meet friends, or cook something completely new. Stopping is sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves during hectic and stressful days," she revealed.
Don't underestimate the power of healthy rituals. One of them can be time spent alone with yourself and one of our functional drinks, which we created precisely for such moments. Whether you're just relaxing in a hot bath or chilling with friends, our delicious drinks with clinically and scientifically proven ingredients will willingly and gladly accompany you on your journey to a healthier you.
