25 New Years Ways of Awareness That Will Bring You Joy
Guest Blog by: Dawn Hurlebaus
The changing of the year often brings parties and excess. Instead of being careless, I am choosing to welcome the New Year safely. I gently say goodbye to the year that is leaving. I reflect on all it brought me - good and bad - and choose to focus on the good. There are many accomplishments I am proud of. Today, I release the past year and embrace the future.
In the past, when I have used the word resolutions, I associated it with failure. I was always excited at the beginning of the year. I said I was going to lose weight and exercise and after about 30 days I fell back into my old ways and habits. To say losing weight and exercising was broad. I needed to break it down into daily manageable steps.I love that New Year’s “resolutions” makes me think about changes I want to make in my life. However, since weight loss surgery I don’t like to necessarily use that term. I would rather call it my Ways of Awareness. These are ways that I want to create awareness in living my best life. Call it whatever you want … Awareness, Recharge, Reset, Intention, Aim, Aspiration etc.
For example:
- Although the end goal is to lose my regain, I am choosing to first focus on hydrating and eliminating liquid calories (#5 on this list).
- I am choosing to track everything for the first 2 weeks (#6).
- I will take my daily vitamins and have a full set of labs done (#11).
- Today I will park as far away from the store I am walking into as possible.
New Year’s resolutions can be a powerful way to alter the direction of your entire year. They can also transform your life. Pick a few of these resolutions that resonate with you and enjoy the happy life you deserve!
Consider these “Ways of Awareness” to fill your life with more happiness and joy:
1 |
Laugh at least once a day. Laughter releases endorphins in the body and brings instant joy into your life. |
2 |
Stay grateful. Reflect on your daily blessings and find gratitude in them. |
3 |
Find hobbies that make you happy. What do you enjoy? Tap into your natural passions with a new hobby that brings you pleasure. |
4 |
Reconnect with nature at least once a week. It’s important to enjoy nature and find time to explore it. |
5 |
Eliminate liquid calories. Commit to saving all your calories for food. Drink lots of water. |
6 |
Track everything. Have you ever heard the word “stalled”? If you feel like you are stuck, perhaps simply for 2 weeks track everything you eat and drink. |
7 |
Express your appreciation to others. Ensure that others know you appreciate their efforts. Making them feel good makes you feel good too! |
8 |
Clarify your priorities. Spending time on those activities that support what’s most important to you brings you satisfaction and fulfillment. |
9 |
Organize events with friends. Your friendships can be a source of joy. |
10 |
Exercise frequently. Exercise helps fight stress and increases energy. It can also improve your mood and make you feel happier. |
11 |
Take your vitamins and make an appointment for a FULL set of labs. Are all your vitamin levels where they should be? What about everything else? |
12 |
Get enough sleep. Researchers have found that getting enough sleep boosts happiness levels. |
13 |
Stay present in the moment. You can find joy in the little things by enjoying each moment of the day. |
14 |
Keep your mind active. An active mind avoids boredom, so you can find more joy. |
15 |
Make new friends. New friendships instantly add joy to your life. |
16 |
Give and accept more hugs. Hugs can lift your mood, and researchers have found they have a positive impact on endorphin levels. |
17 |
Spend more time with your children. Instead of watching TV or focusing on work, find more time to spend with your children. See the joy of life through their eyes. |
18 |
Play more games. Do you love board games or puzzles? Running around with your kids or pets? Let loose and spend some enjoyable time playing games. |
19 |
Avoid anger. Giving in to anger drains the joy from your life and makes the people around you miserable. |
20 |
Encourage the people around you. As you encourage others and help them find happiness, your own joy will increase. |
21 |
Do something just for you. It’s important to find time for yourself. |
22 |
Look for the positive aspects. Find the silver lining in all situations. |
23 |
Smile more. Make smiling a priority and watch joy fill your life. |
24 |
Create new goals. Find happiness in new directions and goals. |
25 |
Reconnect with lost family members. Have you drifted apart from some family members? Rediscovering your bond will bring happiness to both of you. |