We warmly welcome you to 2023! May this new year bring us lots of health, happiness, prosperity, success and fulfillment of our wishes.
There is no more refreshing time than the beginning of a new year, when we have left the challenges of the previous year and carried positive energy into the new year. Many of us have probably written down our New Year’s resolutions or at least thought about them.
But how many of us stick to our resolutions for a whole year? To be brutally honest, maybe just a handful. I am also guilty of this because after January 1st, the spirit of the New Year seems to fall by the wayside.
After counting down to the New Year with parents who refused to yell and cajole, my dad reminded me of a very valuable truth: “Every day is a new day.”
So instead of making New Year’s resolutions that may/may not be long term, how about setting a New Year’s lifestyle that is valid day by day, month by month and year by year? If you think that sounds much more manageable, you have the right idea.
That’s why I’ve highlighted five goals for my New Year’s lifestyle. Some of them may be similar to your goals and some may be different. Whatever your goals are, I hope that each of them is aimed at improving your well-being and the well-being of everyone around you.
5. Incorporate my passions into everyday life.
Life is full of many responsibilities from course work to work duties. We can be intrinsically motivated to complete these tasks because we know that good grades and financial stability are important.
However, it is equally important to find the inner motivation to do things for pure pleasure. For me, it’s singing my favorite song. For others, it might be dancing, rock climbing, drawing, participating in a comedy improv team, etc.
According to article by Day Designer, there are several benefits to doing something you love on a daily basis. For example, enjoyable activities increase motivation to overcome difficult times and offer something positive to look forward to.
Increased motivation will also improve productivity because, according to the same article, “when you have something to look forward to every day, your workload will be lighter and you’ll be more motivated to meet your tasks and deadlines on time. ” I recommend that you spend 10-15 minutes a day doing something out of nothing but pure love. It will be worth it.
4. Build and maintain real relationships.
If you’ve read my articles before, you know this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned the importance of connecting with people from friends and family to professors and colleagues.
Today’s connected world offers countless opportunities to build interactions with others. But the challenge of this luxury is that “the more ways to stay in touch, the greater the challenge of keeping those interactions honest,” he says article from Fast Company.
This is especially true during large networking events, when individuals take away more business cards than inspiration from authentic conversations. However, the basis of any lasting relationship is a genuine feeling of mutual respect and mutual appreciation. When these two qualities are present, it is much easier to devote time and care to a relationship.
Therefore, relationship building is not a one-size-fits-all approach and often develops organically. As we continue to meet new people in college and beyond, let’s try to connect with those who truly bring value to our lives.
3. Give back to the community.
Cheers to being a Tennessee Volunteer! As a youth mentor at my place of worship, I realized how rewarding it is to gently touch the lives of those who need it most. Volunteering has also improved my communication, leadership and problem solving skills.
So giving back your time, knowledge and skills to the community is a great way to find fulfillment in the midst of a routine lifestyle. It provides a path to personal growth and increased self-confidence. Most importantly, volunteering is a reminder that as says non-profit organization Yuda BandsA community is “much more than a collection of people living together” and is incomplete without peace, brotherhood and sisterhood and understanding.
There are countless ways to give back to others, such as through ongoing service opportunities at UT and beyond ServeUTK platform. I hope to continue to give back in my place of worship and in other areas.
2. Add more colors to my diet.
No, I’m not talking about gummy bears, Skittles, or M&Ms. I mean the delicious fruits and vegetables. Although not always considered the first choice of snack, fruits and vegetables are a much healthier alternative to snacking on chips, cookies and other processed foods.
Do you ever rush to eat between classes? A fruit cup awaits you at the Pod Market. Several times a week, you can also include a fresh salad in your lunch. Based on Harvard School of Public Healththe physical health benefits are endless, as discussed below.
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Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
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Fewer digestive problems
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Positive effect on blood sugar level, keeping appetite under control
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Protection against some cancers
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Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
I look forward to using the breaks in class to snack on those blueberries I’ve been refusing to eat.
1. Use everything that nature has to offer.
My final New Year’s life goal is giving back to the entity that provided us with space to play, picnic lunches, hikes, and so much more. In addition, many of the answers to the most important health and wellness questions of our time can be found in nature.
Research from Mental Health Foundation illustrates that being outdoors was one of the key ways people coped with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecting with nature is known to facilitate positive emotions, induce a sense of calm and promote creativity.
Ultimately, nature provides a powerful reminder that the world is truly a beautiful place to live. We just have to discover it and appreciate it for the joy it brings. UT is full of amazing green space that I can’t wait to take advantage of in the spring.
Good luck with establishing your own New Year’s lifestyle!