7 Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for 2022
According to a study from YouGov, nearly 80% of respondents who made some New Year’s resolutions for 2020 failed to achieve at least some of them. We know New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming at times, and just the thought of breaking a resolution is enough to not want to participate.
But this year can be different. One of the biggest reasons a resolution fails is because it is too broad or generalized. For example, instead of saying, “I’ll go to the gym more.,” be specific by saying, “I’ll go to the gym at least three times a week.” This gives you a measurable mark to know if you are hitting and achieving your goals.
BCSLA wants to help you succeed this year! Below, we share seven healthy and realistic resolutions that are simple yet effective, ensuring we can all have the best year yet.
1. Add Protein to Every Meal
As we age, our abilities to process protein are not as efficient as they once were. This is why we tend to lose muscle mass so easily, increasing injury and illness. Making sure a high-quality, nutrient-dense protein source is included in every meal is the perfect way to promote healthy aging and start 2022 off the right way.
2. Help Your Community
Set a resolution that positively impacts you and others by getting out in your community. Try volunteering to give back, meet like-minded people, make new experiences, and do something you love.
Depending on your schedule and availability, this could mean setting a resolution to volunteer weekly or picking a new organization to volunteer with/at every month.
3. Make a Meditation Goal
Whether you’re new to meditating or a seasoned yogi, try creating a goal for yourself. Meditation is an investment in you, and your body will thank you for it. It can be as simple as 10 minutes in bed when you wake up!
4. Try Something New
The best part of resolutions is how they force you out of your comfort zone. When we’re out of our comfort zone, we gain new experiences and stories. Just try one bridge game at the community centre, learn a new instrument, or ask a new friend to sit with you at dinner; you never know what new possibilities will come your way!
5. Visit Somewhere You’ve Never Been
Many people assume a New Year’s resolution has to be something you do throughout the year, but it can also be just one thing you want to accomplish. If a specific destination has been on your bucket list for some time, make it a reality in 2022!
Book a trip somewhere you can experience a new culture, new activities, new food, and new terrain. Expanding your mind to different parts of the world can bring a quality of life you didn’t even know you were missing!
6. Make More Time for Family
After two years of isolation, it has become obvious how important family is to our lives. At the end of the day, they’re what we need the most. For 2022, make it a priority to put family time first.
This could be setting a resolution to have a weekly dinner or video chat with your children/grandchildren. Believe us; you won’t regret it!
7. Change Up Your Exercise
Part of enjoying a workout is trying something new! We can so quickly get set in our comfortable routines. But, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, seniors are recommended to keep a variety of five different types of exercise in their routine to promote healthy aging. So, this year, try to have a balance and mix of exercise routines every week.
Find Success This Year
New Year’s resolutions are different for everyone. We each have our own passions and goals, and sticking to a resolution starts with finding something that is important to you. If you are still looking for inspiration, we encourage you to visit our BCSLA blog for varying articles on healthy aging, activities to continue learning, safe winter exercises, self-care tips, and more.
