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The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to focus on your health and wellbeing.. Whether you’re looking to completely revamp your routine or simply add a few healthy habits, these wellness tips are simple, actionable, and designed to help you live your best, healthiest life. Here are some ideas to inspire your New Year’s resolutions, along with strategies to make them stick.
Daily Wellness Practices to Add to Your Routine
1. Daily Movement: Incorporate some form of movement into your day, whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga session, or a quick strength workout. Regular exercise is not just about physical fitness—it improves mental health by releasing endorphins, helps regulate sleep patterns, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Moving your body daily reminds you that health is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Here are some of my favorite at-home workout equipment:
2. Practice Gratitude: Start a gratitude journal or take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Gratitude has been shown to boost mental health, lower stress levels, and even improve physical health by reducing inflammation and enhancing heart function. It shifts your focus from what you lack to the abundance in your life, fostering contentment and positivity. This is my favorite gratitude journal!
3. Hydrate More: Make drinking water a priority by setting daily goals or carrying a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated supports digestion, energy levels, and skin health while flushing out toxins from your body. Adequate hydration also aids in cognitive function, helping you stay focused and sharp. You can find my absolute favorite water bottle here. I take my water bottle with me everywhere!
4. Reduce Screen Time Before Bed: Trade your evening screen time for relaxing activities like reading, journaling, or meditating. Blue light from screens disrupts your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. By reducing screen exposure, you’re creating a calming bedtime routine that promotes deeper, more restorative sleep.
5. Create a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep per night and establish a regular bedtime routine. Consistency trains your body’s internal clock, improving the quality of your sleep. Better sleep enhances mood, sharpens decision-making, and supports immune function. (You could include links to sleep aids, such as calming teas or essential oil diffusers.)
6. Budget for Quality Self-Care: Invest in non-toxic skincare, supplements, or other wellness products. These small luxuries offer big returns by improving both physical health and emotional well-being. For instance, clean skincare helps you avoid harmful chemicals, while supplements can fill nutritional gaps. Here is a list of my favorite non-toxic skincare brands:
- Good molecules
- Just Ingredients (use code organicmeg10 for 10% off)
- Beauty by Earth (use code meganmoser for 12% off)
- Osea
- Primally pure
- Earthley Wellness
- Rowe Casa Organics
7. Enhance Your Nutrition: Focus on preparing healthier meals and snacks. Swap processed options for nutrient-dense foods and better-for-you snacks. Better nutrition isn’t just about weight management; it’s about fueling your body with what it needs to function optimally. For tips on understanding food labels, check out my Organic vs. Non-GMO blog.
How to Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick
It’s easy to set ambitious goals at the start of the year, but sticking to them is often the bigger challenge. Here are some tips to help you create habits that last:
1. Start Small: Focus on one or two changes at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Small steps are easier to maintain and build momentum toward larger changes. For example, commit to a 10-minute daily walk instead of aiming for an hour at the gym right away.
2. Be Specific: Instead of vague goals like “I want to eat healthier,” set a clear, actionable objective such as “I will cook three healthy dinners at home each week.” Specificity makes it easier to track your progress and measure success.
3. Track Your Progress: Use a journal, app, or calendar to monitor your consistency. Logging your efforts provides a tangible record of your journey, which can be incredibly motivating when you see how far you’ve come.
4. Find Accountability: Share your resolutions with a friend or join a group with similar goals. Support from others can provide encouragement on tough days and celebrate your wins with you.
5. Be Flexible: Life happens, and it’s okay to adjust your goals. Flexibility ensures that temporary setbacks don’t derail your progress. Remember, wellness is a journey, not a race.
6. Celebrate Wins: Reward yourself for milestones, whether it’s treating yourself to new skincare, enjoying a favorite activity, or taking a relaxing day off. Celebrating your achievements reinforces the habit and keeps you motivated.
Overcoming Common Barriers to Wellness
Even with the best intentions, it can be challenging to maintain wellness habits. Here are some common barriers and tips for overcoming them:
- Time Constraints: If a packed schedule makes wellness feel impossible, start small. Integrate 10-minute workouts, quick meditation sessions, or pre-packaged healthy snacks into your day. Prioritize meal prepping on weekends to save time during busy weekdays.
- Budget Limitations: Wellness doesn’t have to be expensive. Explore budget-friendly brands, DIY recipes for skincare or cleaning products, and focus on making small, impactful changes like drinking more water or switching to non-toxic household items.
- Motivation Slumps: Find an accountability partner, set reminders on your phone, or keep a visible list of your "why"—the reasons you want to prioritize your health.
- Overwhelmed by Too Many Goals: Focus on one habit at a time. Once it becomes a natural part of your routine, add another.
Personal Story: Prioritizing Water Intake and Reducing Screen Time
As a breastfeeding mom, I’ve discovered the transformative power of two wellness habits: prioritizing hydration and reducing screen time before bed.
Hydration has been a game-changer for my energy levels and overall well-being. I make it a goal to drink a full glass of water every time I feed Willow. It keeps me on track and ensures I’m staying hydrated throughout the day.
The other habit is putting away screens before bed. Once I put Willow down for the night, that’s my time to unwind. I focus on skincare and dive into a good book. As tempting as it is to scroll through Pinterest or Instagram, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my sleep quality when I avoid screens at least an hour before bed. My mornings feel so much better when I stick to this routine, and my body genuinely thanks me for it!
By addressing common barriers and focusing on small but impactful changes, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your wellness journey.
This year, make your wellness journey about balance and sustainability. By focusing on why these practices matter and understanding their impact, you’re more likely to stay committed. Whether you’re building new habits or refining your routine, these tips can help you prioritize your health in ways that fit your lifestyle. Ready to take the first step? Explore more tips and resources on my blog, and share your own resolutions in the comments below!