The past two years have been tough for everyone, and yes, it’s time to put it behind us and chase our goals.
Here are some ideas to help improve your life in 2022:
1. MOVE: TAKE A 30-MINUTE WALK DURING YOUR LUNCH BREAK THREE TIMES PER WEEK TO ADD MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO YOUR DAY.
If your goal is to improve your physical health and reduce stress, stepping away from your desk to get some fresh air and sunlight is a good place to start. Walking during your lunch break can help you lose weight when coupled with other healthy habits, give your mind a refreshing break and allow you to return to work feeling better prepared to conquer the second half of your day.
2. DE-CLUTTER-YOUR SPACE: PURGE ONE ROOM EACH MONTH UNTIL YOU’VE FINISHED THE ENTIRE HOUSE TO CREATE A MORE ORGANIZED ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
Don’t necessarily stop there. Discard the things you don’t need or use anymore, and organize the things that you do need. Once you declutter your living space, you will feel a weight lift off your shoulders. Also, you will spend less time looking for things. Sell, donate or throw away your unwanted items.
3. MAKE VEGETABLES HALF OF YOUR DINNER: THIS WILL IMPROVE YOUR LONG-TERM PHYSICAL HEALTH AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING A CHRONIC DISEASE.
This is a very specific goal that can help overhaul your physical health. Start replacing some of the junk food you tend to eat for dinner (mashed potatoes, fried chicken or macaroni and cheese) with whole foods your body can use for clean energy. This goal can easily be turned into a habit that will benefit you greatly for the rest of your life.
4. MEDITATE: DEVOTE 10 MINUTES PER DAY TO MINDFULNESS TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Meditation has many health benefits, from fortifying your immune system to increasing your focus. Learn how to observe your thoughts without passing judgment on them. This will help reduce your anxiety and increase your resilience against stress.
5. WRITE: KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL TO GIVE YOURSELF A TANGIBLE REMINDER OF THE GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE.
It’s time to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Keeping a gratitude journal will help you live a happier life and feel more content with your circumstances. Your journal entries don’t need to be long, just bullet lists of what you’re especially thankful for in the moment. Maintaining this habit will improve your mental health and outlook for the future.
6. START MEAL PLANNING AND PREPPING: THIS ONE IS HUGE!
Meal prepping and planning can help you in the organizational realm of your life, not to mention improve your health. Plan meals ahead of time each week to save time after work and eliminate the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?” Meal planning can make a big difference in sticking to a healthy diet and freeing up your schedule.
7. CREATE A WORK/LIFE BALANCE: TAKE TIME FOR YOUR SPOUSE, PARTNER OR OTHER LOVED ONES EACH DAY.
Whether you meet for a quick lunch or sit down and talk at the end of the night, connecting with your partner or other important people in your life is so important to maintaining strong relationships, staying involved in each other’s lives and overcoming challenges. Successful relationships require continuous effort, so invest the time to nourish yours every day in some way.
Personal growth doesn’t happen in one, big surge of effort. It happens gradually over time by keeping up with your realistic goals and making small, yet effective‚ changes. Go after your goals, and get ready for a great rest of 2022!
Karol Brandt is an executive host with Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, as well as co-author of the Amazon best-seller “The Struggle is Real: Finally Break the Dieting Cycle, Transform Your Mind and Body, and Evolve into The Person You Have Always Wanted to Be” and the “30-Day Evolve Challenge Journal.” Contact Brandt by email at karol.brandt@scarletpearlcasino.com, Facebook/ The Struggle Is Real or Instagram at karolbrandtnola.
