6 Meaningful New Year’s Resolutions

Did you know that people who take the time to make New Year’s resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their lives for the better than people who didn’t make a formal New Year’s resolution.

Here are 6 meaningful resolutions to consider for 2019 . . .

1. Make more friends.
   Create new friendships in 2019. In the age of technology it’s important to not feel isolated. Quit rescheduling, according to Women’s Health, “You’re not that busy!” Make a gesture, small or large, including throwing an office pal a birthday party or taking your neighbour chicken soup when she’s sick. And commit to a good long phone conversation with an old friend at least once a month, so you can get back in the habit.
2. Lose weight
   According to the Mayo Clinic, your goal to lose weight is destined to fail if you attempt it with “fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams.” Instead, make it work with the tried and true calorie-controlled diet and increased physical activity.
   • Eat at least four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit each day.
   • Substitute refined grains for whole grains.
   • Use scant amounts of fat, and make them healthy options like olive oil, vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, nut butters and oils.
   • Cut back on sugar.
   • Consume low-fat dairy products, lean meat and poultry, but only in limited amounts.
3. Stick to a budget
   According to Money, the three basics of budgeting are identifying how you spend your money, determining how expenditures match up with goals and making changes. It is particularly important not to count the money you’re not sure you’ll get, like gifts or tax returns. It also recommends downloading your last two months of bank and credit card statements to easily track your spending, or use a money app on your smartphone.
4. Make more money.
   Try to make more money to help you meet financial goals. Get a part-time job or a work from home job to top up. Choose carefully, and start with one that won’t involve upfront spending.
5. Get more sleep.
   A full third of people will resolve to get more sleep in 2019. Top tips from the Mayo Clinic start with sticking to a sleep schedule. You should block out no more than eight hours each night and head for bed and rise the same time every day. Don’t go to bed too close to a heavy meal or when you’re starving, and avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol for at least a few hours before bedtime.
6. Get more exercise.
   The Mayo Clinic recommends steady aerobic exercise like brisk walking for a period of about a half hour at least 5 days a week. It also advised people who want to get more exercise to increase simple physical activity, from taking the stairs to walking in from the furthest parking lot at work or when shopping.