It’s no secret that 2020 is a year most of us want to leave in the dust. But don’t let desperation to reach the end stop you from looking ahead to 2021 and all that the upcoming year can bring.
Of course, most new years start with resolutions to be better and do better for ourselves. And 2021 should be no exception. Make a point to enforce new health habits and set them in stone so you can follow them throughout the year and beyond.
Begin with these ideas — our favorites for the start of 2021:
1. Make Clean Eating Easy
In 2021, you should set yourself up for success. You won’t be able to enforce any positive health habits without the right tools on hand.
Make this year the one where you get used to shopping for good food and keeping your kitchen stocked with meal-making essentials. Without veggies, fruit, beans, lean proteins and healthy-fat-laden nuts and seeds, for example, it’s easier to veer off course. Plus, you might justify eating out more often if you don’t keep the fridge and pantry full.
To make this skill a habit, create a weekly list and go to the grocery store to top up your supplies. Once you master a few healthy recipes, you’ll know what to stock up on so you can whip up quick, healthy meals from your available ingredients.
2. Sleep More
Now, this is a lifestyle change most of us can get behind — at least, in theory. When life gets in the way, though, the first thing to disappear from most of our schedules is sleep. Make a promise not to do that anymore.
Sleep has too many health benefits for you to forgo rest. A full night of rest helps re-energize you so you don’t seek an energy boost from, say, simple carbs. As such, good sleep can help you maintain your weight and eat healthily.
On top of that, sleep gives your body time to repair itself. This helps bolster the immune system, which you want strengthened and working at its best, especially this year. Sleep makes your mood better and enhances your memory, too.
Adults need between seven and nine hours of rest each night to reap these benefits. Catch your Zs and don’t skimp on them, either.
3. Improve Dental Health
Brushing your teeth is a great way to clean your mouth — but it’s not the only method for keeping it that way. And, if you’ve noticed you have bad breath often, it could be down to poor oral hygiene.
Step up your teeth-brushing routine in 2021. Flossing is a great step to add into the process this year if you haven’t already. If you floss, you’ll remove plaque and any lingering food from between your teeth. You’ll also reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
Combined, these positive side effects can help you side-step gum disease, tooth decay and gingivitis. People who suffer from the latter are up to three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack. Keeping your mouth clean can improve your oral health, but it can bolster your overall wellness, too.
4. Stop Slouching
It’s 2020 — we all have smartphones, and we all spend too much time looking at them. In 2021, though, you should make a point to improve your posture while looking at screens.
Most of us slouch or crane our necks to look at phones and computers. This puts significant pressure on our necks, shoulders and backs. If you feel nonstop pain in these parts of your body, then this resolution should shoot to the top of your list.
All you have to do is hold your phone up to face level so you don’t have to bend your neck to look at it. With time, that lingering ache will disappear — and you’ll be happy to hold onto this habit for years to come.
5. Drink More Than Enough Water
Finally, make 2021 the year you finally designate water as your beverage of choice. Drinking an adequate amount of the clear stuff is vital to many of your body’s components and systems.
For example, drinking enough water helps your digestive system push waste from the body. Drinking it before, while and after you eat can help you break down food, too. This speeds up and improves the digestive process even further.
Beyond that, drinking enough water keeps you hydrated and energized. Those who drink lots of water tend to have clearer, brighter skin, too. And, if you sip water all day long, your concentration and mental sharpness will improve.
Make 2021 Your Healthiest Year Yet
New year, new you? That can easily be the case in 2021 if you take on these simple health habits. Practice them every day and, by February, they’ll be second nature — and you’ll be well on your way to your healthiest 365 days yet.
