It' the beginning of a new year, so that means it's time for tons of people to make lots of resolutions that they probably aren't going to keep. I think that most of the time, the reason they are broken is because people make them too unattainable. So here are some simple things you can do to improve your 2016 and won't give up on by February (well, maybe still some of them).
1. Be more active.
People love to say things like "I'm going to lose 20 pounds this year" or "I'm going to exercise everyday!", but realistically these are hard goals to stick to. Instead of making such specific fitness goals, it will be easier to just make a general goal to be more active. So instead of watching Netflix for an hour, try going for a walk. Or if you're bored and have some extra time, try a new exercise class. If you're already a pretty active person and looking to do even more: try increasing the intensity of the frequent workouts you're already doing. The little things you do each day to lead a more active life will pay off in the end.
2. Read more.
This is one probably seems pretty boring, but reading is a great way to exercise the mind this year. As college students, we read so much for our classes, but we usually find that material daunting. Reading for fun outside of class is a great way to learn about something that interests you and to give your eyes a break from the computer/cell phone screen.
3. Join a new club.
Feeling like you're not super involved on campus? Find a new club that interests you and join it! It'll be a good way to help keep busy and meet new people.
4. Go to the library more.
If you're looking for an improvement in your grades from fall semester (like me), try a new study environment, such as the library. Personally, I almost never go to the library so my goal for 2016 is to go at least twice a week to work on homework and to get some studying done. It's a much better spot than a noisy dorm room.
5. Go to church more.
After a #blessed 2015, the best way to show you're thankful is to attend mass more in 2016, if you don't already go every Sunday.
6. Be more fiscally responsible.
Try to save a little bit of money this year. If you're at the mall, ask yourself, "do I really need three new crop tops that look just like ones I already have?". Or even though you really would love to order sushi, make the choice to eat on your dining hall meal plan that is already paid for.
7. Get up earlier.
Instead of hitting "snooze" all the time, try to wake up the first time your alarm goes off. I'm certainly guilty of wanting to sleep in, but starting your day earlier will help you be productive more as the day goes on (as long as you've got some coffee in you).
8. Also, go to bed earlier.
I am major culprit of staying up until 2:00am watching Netflix or messing around with my roommates and I always end up paying for it. It always seem like a good idea at the time, but then I am exhausted the next day. Trying to go to sleep just a little bit earlier every night will make a big difference in how you feel the next morning.
9. Eat healthier.
There are small things you can do throughout your day to build healthier eating habits. Swap out chips for a piece of fruit with lunch. Stop drinking soda. Don't snack after eight o'clock at night. Eating better will make you feel better.
10. Make time for yourself.
In college especially, it can be hard to find alone time. Everyday, try to find a little bit of time - even if it's only for ten minutes - to relax by yourself.
]11. Unplug from social media.
Telling you to delete your Instagram and Facebook accounts would be unrealistic, but checking them less frequently and being less attached to your phone is something that would be good for everyone this year. If you're always looking down at your phone, you might miss something great in 2016.
12. Make a better effort to stay in touch with friends and family.
Day-to-day life in college always feels super busy and we often forget to make time to check up on the people we care about. Suddenly we realize we've gone weeks without talking to someone close to us. So, try to remember to check up on your friends at other schools and shoot your parents a text as often as you can. Just letting someone know you're thinking of them will make their day a lot better.
Good luck and happy 2016!
