As term begins it’s time to reflect on the year ahead and finally keep a New Year’s resolution.
New Year’s Resolutions have a tragically low average life expectancy, especially amongst students. But perhaps 2016 is the year! Here are five examples of simple changes to you daily life which, whilst not seeming like much, will make you feel more on top of things, more capable and more able to make some of those bigger changes you’ve been thinking about. Even if it’s simply the achievement of actually sticking to something that gives you that little boost of confidence, surely it’s worth a try, right?
Eat less meat
We all eat more meat than we should. In fact, British people are estimated to eat around double the amount of meat that is recommended for a balanced diet. We don’t need this much- Vegetarians and vegans manage just fine with none at all! Of course the answer isn’t necessarily to cut it out altogether (meat can be an important source of protein for us) but this resolution could, for instance, involve jumping on that ‘meat free Mondays’ band wagon. Taking meat out for just one day a week will save money, animals, and carbon emissions, and might inspire you to skip the steak on more than just a Monday- many people find they feel less bloated, weighed down, and overall more energetic after a day without meat! Alternatively, you might decide to just make a conscious effort to eat less meat on average, for example going for the veggie options in college more often, or having one rasher of bacon instead of two.
Do something active everyday
Don’t panic! This doesn’t mean an hour at the gym or a five mile run every single day. All it requires is for you to consider how much physical activity you actually do, and to go to bed feeling as though you haven’t just been sat on your backside all day. A brisk walk to lectures can even count if you like! Keeping our bodies moving is proven to benefit us both physically and mentally, so whether it’s a bit of yoga before bed, some squats in the morning, or powering up a hill with your weekly shopping in both hands, staying even just a little bit active each day could be a resolution to combat laziness once and for all! (Although we can’t argue with the occasional pyjama day.
Make the time to keep in touch with friends and family
This is a simple one which could go a long way. With everything going on at uni, it’s surprisingly easy to find yourself having not spoken to an old friend, or family member for, well, an embarrassingly long time. Resolve it! Make a conscious effort to keep up to date with them. Call, message, you could even go old school and write a letter! It will brighten they’re day, and is guaranteed to brighten yours too.
Drink more water
This resolution involves making sure you have a good water bottle that doesn’t leak, and making a conscious effort to carry it around with you wherever you go. You’ll end up drinking lots more water, and you won’t become dehydrated during those busier days. Many people drink too little water and don’t realise that they are often slightly dehydrated. It can make you feel tired, less focused, and often cause headaches. Dehydration is also often mistaken for hunger, so keeping those fluids may also help you realise when you really need that snack and when you don’t. Drinking more water can also be good for your skin, your immune system, your appearance (such as slowing down signs of ageing), and much more.
Don’t start your day with stress
So many of us find ourselves half-jogging to our first lectures of the day, silently vowing that this is it, the last time you leave this late. But it never is. The cycle of endless rushing continues. If you’re one of these people and haven’t yet experienced the luxury of not having to rush in the mornings, or even of having time to spare, this may be a slightly more challenging resolution- but oh so worthwhile! Setting that alarm clock a little bit earlier and (here’s the crucial bit) actually taking notice of it will have a positive effect on the rest of your day. If you can keep it up, you’ll feel even better. By starting your day free of rushing and worrying about the time, you have a sense of being in control. You’ll feel on top of things, which is great, and will often encourage a generally more proactive attitude as the day goes on. Such a feeling is guaranteed to be a welcome replacement for the repetitive notion of failure you get with that all too common ‘leaving the bare minimum time to get ready’ syndrome. Give it a try, and save those glorious lie-ins for the weekend, when they can be enjoyed guilt-free!