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The New Year is just around the corner, and many of us are hoping to make lifestyle changes in 2018. Most New Year’s resolutions fizzle out fairly quickly, with only 8 percent of goal-setters following through. If you’d like to make some noticeable progress on your goals, we’ve compiled a few suggestions to help you turn your aspirations into reality.
Set Specific Goals
The beginning of a new year signifies a fresh start, and it’s understandable to set lofty expectations. However, don’t make the mistake of setting vague resolutions. When your goals are lacking specificity, you may lose interest in challenging yourself every day. Instead of committing to a general plan like, “I want to improve my diet,” be sure to write down the details. For instance, define a healthy eating plan that could include adding veggies to every meal.
Choose Reasonable Resolutions
If you’re feeling motivated to hit the ground running in 2018, you may fall into the trap of committing to unrealistic goals. While it would be awesome to hit the gym every day, clean up your diet, and exceed your professional aspirations, it may be too much of a change to handle in one year without getting burned out. Instead of choosing to overhaul your entire lifestyle, start small. It’s achievable to attend a fitness class a couple of times per week, or to take your dog out for a daily 30-minute walk. When your resolutions are attainable, you’ll have a better chance of sticking to them and building upon them when the time is right. If you’re struggling to come up with a set of goals for the New Year, consider the options below:
1. Brew Coffee at Home
Many individuals aren’t fully functional without a dose of caffeine in the morning, and it’s often convenient to drive through your favorite coffee shop before work. If you’re hoping to save money or cut back on sugar, skip the expensive latte and brew a cup of coffee at home. It may take some experimentation to find the ideal flavor, but there are several ways to get coffee shop taste without the high price tag.
2. Set Aside Time For Reading
The demands of daily life can wreak havoc on our peace of mind and happiness. If you struggle with feelings of stress or anxiety, make it a habit to set aside a few minutes each day to read a book. The act of reading (or listening to audio books) often helps busy individuals tune out the “background noise” and escape to another world for a while.
3. Schedule Time For Social Media
Using social media is a great way to connect with loved ones or keep an eye out for can’t-miss sales. However, putting too much focus on what others are up to can lead to comparison or negative feelings. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with checking your favorite pages each day, it’s often helpful to schedule social media hours and log off when you’ve reached your limit.
Are you ready to ring in the New Year in a beautiful apartment home? Habitat Apartments is an excellent option for Boulderites. To see what our community offers, take a look at our floor plans online and call our leasing office to set up a tour.