Happy New Year!
I hope you’ve enjoyed a lovely break over the holiday period, or perhaps you’re still enjoying some time off?
For most of us, as we approach New Year, it’s usually time to consider some new year’s resolution. I love the inspirational wave of motivation at this time of year. This is a wonderful time to get inspired and motivated for the things we want to achieve. And there is so much we can achieve when we put our minds to it!
Did you know that in 2019, the top 3 New Year’s resolutions were all related to diet/eating healthy and exercise? If you have one such resolution on your list, then I would advise that you go slowly, and try not to do too much too quickly. Otherwise, you can become overwhelmed and it can become impossible to keep up. Make realistic goals, make it a habit so that it sticks – make the change a way of life rather than a temporary thing.
If you’re in need of some inspiration for a good habit for 2020, then perhaps you can get inspired from the list below…
Meditation – or perhaps just some silence in the morning, before all the thoughts start flooding in. Plenty of us have a bad habit of looking at our phones as soon as we wake up. The silent morning is great if you live alone, but if you’re in a home with people then try practising together. I was able to practice this with a group of friends at a yoga retreat I attended recently, and it was really amazing. Tough at first, but we just smiled and nodded to acknowledge each other.
Stretching – to energise the body. I bet most of you do this without even realising it. Perhaps turn those stretches into something that gets the heart rate going a little bit. Perhaps the Sun Salutation (a series of 12 postures performed in a single, graceful flow, coordinated with breath) or maybe a few exercises put together for a 5 minute workout.
Affirmations – of positive statement can help you overcome negative thoughts and self-sabotaging. Choosing empowering words, instead of limiting ones, makes you feel in control. This works because your subconscious registers whatever it hears, as opposed to current reality.
Visualisation – is the second part to your affirmations. Your affirmations usually make sure you keep your long-term vision in mind, and have an idea of what the end goal looks like at all times. Whereas your visualisations help you take the baby steps you need to actually get there. You picture yourself doing the work that you have to do today, in order to make progress.
Journaling – your insights, gratitude, ideas, successes, lessons learnt, areas of growth or results you’re committed to creating for the day. Whichever you decide to do, it will help you keep a positive mindset. You will experience gratitude as you look back over all the experiences, lessons, accomplishments you’ve noted.
I hope that’s given you some ideas for a successful 2020. If that seems a lot, maybe start with three things that you’re going to change each month. Start small and consistent until it becomes second nature and forms a life long habit.
Let’s make 2020 the bestest year ever!
Happy new year!
Rita x