5 Unique & Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for 2017 | Herbal Goodness

We all know that this time of the year is when we start to look ahead to the next 12 months and brainstorm ways in which to better ourselves. I’m sure you all are already wonderful people inside and out, but it still never hurts to understand your weaknesses and improve upon them. It’s great to have self-reflection throughout the year, say at the end of every month, but we understand how busy lives can be and how easily it can be to forget about it. A lot of us only feel inspired enough to make big changes in our life at the New Year or after another birthday. 

And that’s okay. The passing of time can be a great motivator to remind you that there’s no time like the present. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and we may as well make the best of our lives and our time on this planet while we can. 2016 was a hard year for a lot of people, in some ways it seems like nothing went right. There are a lot of ways to make 2017 a better year for yourself and for those around you. 

There are our top 5 picks for unique & healthy New Year’s resolutions for 2017. 

Learn a new healthy recipe every month 

Trying to always fit new recipes into your schedule can be overwhelming and difficult at times. However, if you just have one new healthy recipe to learn for the month, suddenly it won’t seem so difficult. That’s only 12 new recipes for the year! Hopefully, you’ll have a chance to make even more than that, but by focusing on a minimum of one new recipe a month, you’ll have a much higher chance of actually following through. 

Maybe you’ve been wanting to try out some unique ancient grains, or your first Paleo recipe. Whatever it is, this is your year to experiment in the kitchen and come up with some tasty and healthy meals. 

And if you’re really wanting to go for a bonus this year, why not make just enough extra to share your healthy food with someone in need. Homeless individuals or those in shelters are in need of nutritious food that will sustain them when they don’t have much to eat. It doesn’t take that much extra time, effort, or money, to make an extra serving for that new recipe you were going to make anyway. It could make all the difference in someone’s life, and it’s just a way to spread a little kindness each month. 

Be more self-reliant & in-tune to the world around you 

Turn off the screens and become more self-reliant in 2017. We’re so used to being on autopilot all the time that we forget the positive nuances that come with working things out for ourselves and interacting with other people. Instead of using Google Maps for every destination, get out a good old physical map and find your route the old fashioned way. Don’t be afraid to get lost more this year and discover the beauty in spontaneity, and your own intellect when it comes to figuring things out. 

Take that trip you’ve been wanting to go on but kept putting off because you were waiting for someone to join you. Eat alone in a restaurant without feeling self-conscious. Don't be afraid to learn new things and probably make a fool of yourself along the way, you’ll be more self-reliant in the long run. With more self-reliance and natural awareness, you will start to notice the world around you better, be in the present more, and start really seeing the people that pass through your life. This is the first step in creating a more connected world of kindness and understanding. 

Simply be more self-aware and confident in your ability to get through anything in life. You are strong, brave, and resilient - start acting like it. 

Spend more time in nature 

So many of us live in cities and concrete jungles these days, we forget how important it is to just get out in nature on a regular basis to smell the fresh air and let any worries go by the wayside. Taking time each week, or each month if you don’t think you can make it a weekly habit, is a great resolution to have for 2017. 

It has been scientifically proven that getting out in nature can make you happy, boost your immune system, and make you more creative. Going on a hike, taking a walk around the block, or tackling a new outdoor adventure activity, can also be a great stress reliever. This year, instead of spending all of your money and hours cooped up in a gym, try to get outside more and find some stunning locations. That rush hour commute may just be a little nicer if you’ve taken the time to get outside for the week. 

Teach Yourself Something You Never Learned 

Is there a skill that you always wanted to know when you were growing up or in the past 10 years, that you just never took the time to learn? Well, there’s no time like the present, and you never know if it could spark a new passion in your life. 

Our brains love learning new things, it helps them grown and retain information better, and it’s a good idea to teach yourself new things as you get older for your own happiness too. The saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” could not be more wrong. 2017 is your year to find your little bit of happy and do something you’ve always wanted to do. 

 Related: Affordable Alternative Health Care Plan 

Commit to positive mornings 

Lastly, a great New Year’s resolution for 2017 could be to simply commit to positive mornings. Make sure you get up with enough time to never feel rushed. Train your brain to think positively right when you wake up, and don’t let that alarm clock put you in a grumpy mood. Wake up early enough to take 30 minutes out of your day to do something you love. This could be yoga, meditation, healthy meal prep for the day, reading, writing, running, and a number of other things. Try and find something that’s positive and productive while still making you happy. 

If you start every day of the month off with healthy habits and a positive outlook, there’s no stopping how much you can accomplish. You may be surprised at how drastically this type of daily positive mindset can influence your overall happiness levels. And who doesn’t want a happier year ahead of them? 

 We’d love to know - what are your New Year’s Resolutions for 2017? Do you think you’ll try out any of the ones we recommended for this upcoming year?