The beginning of a new year is always deemed the perfect time to make drastic changes to become fitter, healthier, and happier. These changes are often quite unrealistic, and our mental health can do a nosedive when we fail to succeed in keeping these goals alive. Instead of making new year resolutions, what about creating healthy habits or taking up a new activity or hobby instead? It could open the door to new opportunities, new skills, new friendships, and a new mindset.
Below are some ideas to get you started. Trying something new helps us break the monotony of routine and change our biorhythm – jolting and stimulating us intellectually, emotionally, and physically. If we maintain a habit of trying new things, we progress and learn to be more open – open to change, new experiences, and to new possibilities.
- Feeling creative? – There are so many creative classes these days that there’s pretty much something for everyone. Pottery, art or sketching, photography, flower arranging, life-drawing, jewellery making, sewing and book making just to name a few. You may have a friend who would like to join you. If you’re unsure about committing to a class or feel anxious about doing something creative in a public space, get a sketch pad and start doodling at home. You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it.
- Try out new recipes – We all need to eat, but we don’t all love cooking. If this sounds familiar, how about trying a recipe that you’ve always thought looked out of your comfort zone. You never know, it may whet your appetite to make it a regular thing. Trying a new and challenging recipe once a month is a great achievement for many of us. Your family or housemates will love you for it, alternatively there’s always yummy leftovers for you the next day!
- Making lists or bullet journaling – Setting aside 10 minutes in the evening to make a list or bullet journaling what you want to accomplish the following day or week can set your mind in good stead. We often become overwhelmed with everything we need to accomplish in our busy lives, and then get into a world of worry that we won’t complete our tasks. Writing it down either as a simple to do list, or more detailed using the bullet journaling technique, can help to process everything you need to accomplish. Your mind will be more at ease and I no doubt you will sleep happier. Ticking tasks off as you go is also extremely satisfying. You may even turn this one into a habit.
- Volunteering – There are many not-for-profit organisations, schools, kindergartens, or aged care homes that love a helping hand. It may be difficult now with all the Covid restrictions, but if the opportunity arises, giving up an hour or two of your time to help someone (or others) out, can be hugely rewarding. Have a look online to see which local charities are near to you.