Healthy Goals for the New Year

This year, be kind to yourself and make goals that make sense. Keeping your mental health along with your physical health in mind is essential with the rising stress we're all experiencing. Here are a few healthy ideas you can incorporate into your 2022 goals.

Resolutions or Goals?

When planning to make healthy changes in your life, is it better to make resolutions or goals? Let's start by looking at the differences between these two terms. While a resolution is simply a decision to do something or not to do something, a goal is the desired result of effort and ambition. Resolutions are easy to break when they don't come with a plan. A goal, on the other hand, typically comes with a map for success.

When setting goals, consider making the SMART goals:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-based

You might even consider adding the new expansion of E and R:

• Evaluated
• Reviewed

So, what does a goal look like compared to a resolution? A resolution is generally something along the lines of, "eat healthily" or "lose weight." Those resolutions are entirely too vague to do anything about. Conversely, a SMART goal would look like, "cut fast food down to once per week" or "lose 30 pounds in 6 months."

Physical Health Goals

Keeping your body healthy is important to ensure a longer and happier life. Here are a few goals you can work towards in 2022 to work towards a healthier you.

• Make annual appointments with your GP, dentist, and eye-doctor
• Run a 5k in three months
• Cook healthy meals 3 times per week
• Exercise daily
• Drink 8 glasses of water per day
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night
• Practice yoga or tai chi 3 times per week

Mental Health Goals

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Here are some 2022 goals to help you take care of your mental health.

• Practice being present with friends and family by putting away your smartphone
• Meditate 10 minutes per day
• No screen time an hour before bedtime
• Keep a daily gratitude journal
• Practice self-care once a week (massage, mani/pedi, facial)
• Repeat your affirmations daily
• Expand your cultural knowledge by visiting a different museum each month
• Develop a daily routine

How to Set Goals

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Use that same mindset when breaking down your goals. When you try to achieve a goal without charting a course, you're doomed to fail.

Begin by reviewing your past resolutions and goals. Which were successful and which weren't? What were your past resolutions and goals and why did you succeed or fail? Next, ensure the goals you set for yourself are things that actually matter to you.

We'll use weight loss as an example of how to plan your goals for 2022.
SMART(ER) goals would look something like this:

S = Lose 30 pounds in 6 months

M = Lose 5 pounds per month for 6 months

A = Losing from 4-6 pounds per month is a healthy goal

R = Losing 30 pounds would help me be healthier

T = Six months is a healthy time period for losing 30 pounds

E = Weigh yourself weekly to check that you are on track

R = Review your food intake, your water intake, and exercise to ensure you are actively working toward your goal

For a little extra help achieving both your physical and mental health goals, add one of our green teas to your daily routine. Filled with antioxidants and with a bright and refreshing taste you're sure to love, any of our green teas would be a lovely addition to your repertoire.

Be sure to check out our Cafe@Home for the Holidays Chart a Course for Success for more ideas.