7 New Year's Resolutions Worth Keeping (And Then Some!)

Are you ready for new year's eve? 2022 is just hours away and many of us are preparing for a successful year. Whether you are in a good place with your health or struggling with some bad habits, the new year is always a great time to make a change.

Starting a brand new year is an exciting time. It's time to reflect on all you've accomplished and take note of what you want to change. Though you can make a lifestyle change whenever you want, there's something about a new year's resolution that makes it feel more definite.

Resolutions don't have to be all about losing weight. Shake things up with a resolution for your mind like learning a new language or taking a class in creative writing. Maybe it's time that you finally go for that new job you've been wanting.

Even when we decide to leave our comfort zones, there are some resolutions that we always return to. That's because there are some things that are really hard to turn into long-term habits. And that's ok! There's no time like the present to get back on the horse.

For example, you may have been working really hard to exercise every day, and you did well until you pulled a muscle, and then it just wasn't as easy to get back into the routine after time off. Remind yourself of the mindset you once had and try again!

A new year's resolution that you didn't quite hit the mark on before, is the perfect resolution to come back to. We evolve constantly, so this year could be the year for you to finally achieve what you couldn't before!

The new year is the perfect time to quit a bad habit. Whether that's quitting smoking or quitting junk food, the new year is a clean slate for you to focus on what really matters - YOU! In order to become your best self, it's imperative to continually work on quitting your bad habits.

Primal Harvest was created to be an inclusive holistic community of supportive, positive, and inspiring wellness warriors who help each other live their best life at any age. And this New Year’s Eve, we are so overjoyed to see how our community has flourished.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself of the incredible challenges you’ve overcome in 2021! We're going to make 2022 even more incredible.

New Year's Resolution Ideas

Although we will be moving into the new year without any certainty of what 2022 will bring, we can still set personal goals and New Year’s Resolutions that lift our spirits and help us stay healthy, centered, and motivated.

In one study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, it was discovered that the most common resolutions included goals such as falling in love, making more money, and losing weight.

It’s estimated that approximately  41% of Americans make New Year's resolutions. However, it’s also estimated that only about  9.2% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Even worse, only approximately 19% kept up with their resolutions two years later (despite 77% being able to maintain their goal for the first week). 

Typically, studies have found that most people largely underestimate the amount of time it will take them to achieve a goal or complete a task, often by 20% or more. This phenomenon is referred to as the "planning fallacy" in psychology and was coined in 1977 by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amod Tversky.

These psychologists found that this issue stems from two psychological tendencies:

1. Our optimism (known as 'optimism bias,' AKA 'wishful thinking') leads us to assume that we won't run into any complications or delays along the journey.
2. We usually fail to consider historical data, or in other words, how long it's taken us to complete a similar goal or task in the past.

So what’s different about this year that gives us an advantage when it comes to goal setting? In two words: Time and perspective. 

When you go to set a resolution, you want to make sure it's realistic. Following the guidelines of "SMART goals" is a helpful way to make sure you can stay on track. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

This way you are setting yourself up for success by being able to track your progress along the way. Also, the more specific you get with your goals, the more likely you are to understand what tools you need to get there.

Examples of a SMART resolution

Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week

Eat at least one vegetable for dinner every night

Add 2 new supplements to your morning routine

Volunteer once a month

Meditate 10 minutes every day

Journal every morning

Drink 8 glasses of water a day

Say a self-affirmation every morning

Try a new healthy recipe once a week

Only drink alcohol once a month

Stretch for 10 minutes every night

Spend an hour being creative per day

All of these goals have a number attached to clearly track your progress. You will know exactly what you need to achieve to make your new year's resolution a long-term habit. Soon it will be second nature!

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T GIVE UP YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

With all that has transpired over the last couple of years, setting a goal for yourself might have felt low on the totem pole of priorities. However, resolutions are back in 2022. It's time to start working on yourself again.

With a new appreciation for the incredible gift of good health, the upcoming year offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sit down with your thoughts and sort through your emotions and the status of your health from a holistic perspective, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. 

It also offers the chance to let go of some of the baggage weighing you down from the previous year. We invite you to check out our list of positive New Year’s resolutions for the upcoming year that are worth committing to.

Some say that resolutions are just setting yourself up for failure, but we like to think of a resolution as simply a fresh start to work on your long-term goals. Goals are all about mindset and giving up before you even get started can totally destroy your positive mindset.

So, we encourage you to sit down and write out a couple of things that you want to change for yourself. Then it's all about commitment. You can do it! Let's check out 7 of the resolutions that are worth keeping in 2022 as we continue to better ourselves and our health.

HERE'S 7 NEW YEAR’S

RESOLUTION IDEAS FOR 2022

1) START A NEW SUPPLEMENT ROUTINE (OR REVAMP YOUR OLD ONE)

The start of a new year offers the perfect opportunity to take a close look at your supplement routine and really assess your needs and goals. When was the last time you really analyzed your nutritional needs?

It’s not uncommon to buy into the latest supplement trend or pick up any old multivitamin from the grocery store, but if you’re not tailoring your supplement routine to your unique needs, it’s possible you’re getting little to no benefit (and wasting your hard-earned money).

Not sure how to get started? We’ve listed some recommendations below and offer free wellness consultations anytime!

Contact our team at  Support@primalharvest.com or by sending us a message on social media @PrimalHarvest. You can also take our supplement quiz by clicking here to find out the #1 recommendation for your wellness goals. 

The majority of people don't meet their daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, especially the dark, leafy kind.

Try a premium super greens blend (like our  Primal Greens) for a convenient, concentrated superfood and probiotic boost that can improve energy levels, increase immune defenses, and help support healthy digestion and an overall healthy glow.

We dramatically begin to lose essential collagen, the primary building block in our bodies, after age 30. Try a hydrolyzed collagen peptide powder (like our  Primal Collagen or  Keto Collagen) for well-rounded healthy aging support and improved joint, bone, hair, skin, nail, and gut health.

Studies now show that our gut health has a direct impact on pretty much every major system in our bodies. Try a prebiotic + probiotics + postbiotic super combo to improve gut health, digestion, skin health, mood, mental clarity, immunity, and sleep.

Promoting a healthy gut microbiota with gut-friendly foods and a supplement like our  Primal Gut Restore or  Primal Probiotics can positively impact many different areas of your health!

The incredible antioxidant powers found within turmeric extract can promote healthy inflammatory responses, lessen aches, and improve mobility, cognitive function, skin, and overall health.

Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and only growing in popularity, the powerful turmeric curcumin in our  Turmeric Complex and  Primal Flex is definitely a must-have supplement to add to your routine in 2021.

Fatty acids like the omega-3's found in abundance in fish oil supplements like our  Primal Omega-3 are essential for hydrating our bodies from the inside out. They are vital for human development, healthy aging, heart health, mood, healthy cognition, and more.

Often lacking in our diets, omega-3's have been thoroughly studied for their long list of whole body-supporting benefits. Fish oil supplements also promote healthy hair, nails, and skin. So, if you've not a seafood fan, you may want to try an omega-3 supplement.

2) GET STRICT ABOUT SLEEP

Your cells are not able to properly repair themselves when you’re sleep-deprived. The majority of adult American's don't get the recommended hours of sleep per night. This can be due to a number of factors such as stress or unhealthy habits like eating before bed.

Aim for about 8 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep per night. If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, try avoiding blue light, violent movies, caffeine, and eating too close to bedtime.

You can also try a natural sleep aid, such as our  Primal Sleep formula. Allow yourself to drift into a slow, restorative sleep so you can wake up ready to tackle the other resolutions you want to accomplish.

Lack of sleep adds to stress and can make the next day so much harder than it needs to be. Also, when you don't get restorative sleep, your health declines on a cellular level. We need sleep in order for our cells to restore. 

3) LISTEN TO ONE PODCAST PER WEEK

Research shows that the main reason people come up with New Year’s resolutions is for the purpose of improving themselves. In other words, becoming a better person and becoming better at what you do each day.

Choosing a podcast that interests you and committing to listening at least once per week can help you to feel motivated as you soak in new information. It's one of the easiest ways to learn and expand your mind.

Best of all, it makes a great resolution, as it can be done from anywhere, is convenient, and is affordable. Working on your mind is a great resolution because a healthy and strong mind will benefit your overall health.

Notice how this resolution is time-bound and measurable. One podcast can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours. You get to be in charge of how much time you want to dedicate to your new goal. Either way, this could also be a good time to be alone and reflect after taking in new information.

4) TAKE REGULAR BREAKS (AND VACATION TIME)

.Taking the opportunity to realign with healthy boundaries and taking the breaks you need and deserve will not only make you more productive (at least  10% according to some surveys) but will help restore some of the balance and self-care that may have been neglected in the previous year.

Many of us get lost in the routine of life and forget that we can take moments to reset. It can make a huge difference!

Meditation is one of the best ways to completely clear your mind and begin to be more mindful. Set a resolution to give yourself a regular break from life's demands with 10 minutes of meditation per day.

Or if meditation seems to be too much to take on, you can simply sit in a quiet space (no electronics!), close your eyes, and just be. Giving yourself time to just be can actually be harder than it sounds.

It's hard to shut out outside noises and the desire to get up and get things done. But slowing down for a few minutes a day to actually let go of all your responsibility can be super beneficial to your mental health.

5) REARRANGE AND DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE

Make room for new energy and new beginnings after a stressful year by literally cleaning out your living space. Set aside some time to clear out the old and begin with a fresh slate in 2022.

Some ideas can include DIY projects, cleaning out your email inbox (virtual space counts too!), practicing your minimalism, donating old clothes, and rearranging your furniture.

Believe it or not, the space you spend the most time in can make a huge impact on your mental and physical health. By taking the time to make your personal spaces less overwhelming, you’ll likely feel accomplished, renewed, and ready to start the year on the right foot!

Like any resolution, start small. Focus on decluttering a desk or a junk drawer. Schedule time each day to work on a different little corner or spot that needs attention. Soon, you will work your way through the whole house and will hopefully feel lighter, more energized, and ready to take on more goals!

6) BUY NEW CLOTHES THAT FIT TODAY

Hanging on to old clothes that no longer fit is only going to bring frustration, negative feelings, and cause you to beat yourself up over unmet fitness or weight loss goals. But it can be hard to let them go.

A trending resolution in 2022 is to be happy with the way you look and comfortable in your own skin. As we age, it can be harder than it used to be to shed pounds.

As long as you FEEL good and are comfortable with where you're at in your health journey, then it shouldn't matter if you can't fit into clothes that you once could. If you buy clothes that fit and move on from longing to fit into old jeans, you can turn your focus to other aspects of your health that might need improving.

As you focus on your holistic wellness, it’s important to look forward instead of backward. Buy clothes that fit you NOW instead and let go of the guilt that you may not be where you want to be. There’s a new year ahead!

7) GIVE THERAPY A TRY

Therapy has been known to help many people deal with struggles that they have trouble overcoming. There are many different types of therapy to fit different styles and needs, and even many online options as well (such as BetterHelp).

Sitting with a professional once a week or so can help you stay on top of your stress levels - especially if you may be dealing with grief or depression.

The conversations surrounding mental health are becoming more popular. People are realizing that mental health matters. If you've been struggling internally and haven't been able to keep your stress in a healthy place, it might be time to give therapy a try.

The moral of the story is that new years resolutions are back with vengeance in 2022. The difference is, we are focusing on long-term habits that will stick for years to come. Remember to start small and work towards the bigger picture. You can do it!

Focus on the first three months. Once you get past 90 days you'll likely be on a course towards victory. Habits take time and attention to build, so don't get discouraged if you suffer a minor setback.

We are always there for you, too. If you need some motivation or a little extra information on what you want to accomplish, keep up with our weekly blogs! They are there to help guide you in your health journey.

Also, life is stressful in general. We need to rely on each other to achieve our goals. Friends and family are a great crutch to turn to when you're feeling weak. They can help you figure stuff out that you may not be able to in the course of your new journey.

Getting from point A to point B seems like an easy task, but there are plenty of obstacles that are going to get in the way. If you know this going into it, you will be better equipped to overcome them.

Your effort is not unnoticed. People around you will begin to see your changes and sense your growth. There is no better feeling than getting healthier in your mind, body, and soul. So, if you weren't planning on setting a resolution this year, maybe you need to reconsider.

At the end of the day, it is your choice to make a change. The new year is just a fresh start. It's up to you to continue the hard work well into 2022 and beyond. Just remember...

You matter. Your health matters.

ARE YOU READY TO FACE 2022 WITH SOME POWERFUL NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS? WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR IN 2022!

JOIN OUR PRIMAL HARVEST TRIBE COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOK OR CONNECT WITH US @PRIMALHARVEST AND LET US KNOW YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR.