The New Year brings a fresh start and a clean slate, which means it’s time to set goals that have the potential to change the course of your wellness!
But how do you know where to begin? With so many advertisements on television and social media for ‘miracle’ diets and intense workout plans, it seems there’s an endless list of ways to get you started quickly. However, these are often false promises that lead to quick burnout and fewer results.
At Peaceful Pines Senior Living, we want to make sure you have the right resources to help you stick with your New Year’s resolutions while promoting healthy aging in the process! Here are some resolutions to help you maintain and improve your wellness and create habits that lead to a healthier lifestyle.
1. Get Active – Regularly
A survey found that 52% of Americans hope to exercise more in the New Year, whether to lose weight, improve cardiovascular health, or simply keep moving. However, only 9% of them actually achieve those goals.
Many times, when an individual begins a new fitness routine or workout plan, it can be difficult to stick with it long enough to see actual results or feel the changes occurring in the body. That being said, staying physically active is an excellent New Year’s resolution if you set realistic goals that can be easily achieved over time. By starting small, you can reap the many benefits of regular exercise for older adults, which can improve many of the natural health declines that occur with age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults over the age of 65 should try to aim for at least 150 minutes a week of physical activity. For the new year, challenge yourself to get more active by breaking that number down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
We recommend starting even smaller than that, especially if you don’t currently work out regularly. If your long-term goal is to work out five days a week, start with 1-2 days and work your way up. This can help you avoid burnout and keep you working toward a larger goal!
2. Embrace Mindful Eating
While 52% of Americans aim to exercise more in the new year, 50% have resolved to eat healthier. It’s a classic resolution seen every year, but it’s also a common goal that doesn’t last when done improperly. For example, diets that are too restrictive can be detrimental to one’s well-being, and it can be hard to keep up with such strict rules over long periods of time.
However, there’s a simple way to maintain this New Year’s resolution – mindful eating! Mindful eating is the practice of using your senses, emotions, and thoughts to reflect on the food you consume. In addition, you focus on how the food makes you feel, why you’re eating these specific foods, and truly savoring the flavors and experiences of your meals.
Mindful eating is an impactful way to understand the food choices you make every day. By utilizing this practice, you gain a better understanding of any eating habits you may need to adjust. For instance, do you eat when you’re bored? Do you grab a bag of potato chips more than you grab a piece of fruit?
3. Find Fulfillment
While many challenge themselves to make resolutions based on physical health, others choose to find more purpose by discovering new hobbies and activities that bring a sense of fulfillment into their lives.
Think back to your younger years:
- What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
- What were your favorite hobbies, and how did those activities or passions make you feel?
- What caused you to stop spending as much time participating in them over the years (career, family, etc.)?
One of the greatest aspects of healthy aging is implementing activities and pastimes that bring purpose to your life and boost happiness and self-esteem.
At Peaceful Pines Senior Living, our communities promote healthy aging and fulfillment through convenient amenities, compassionate care, and engagement opportunities.
We invite you to contact our team to learn how Peaceful Pines can help you reach a higher level of wellness today!
