January isn’t even over, but if you’re like most of us, those New Year’s resolutions you were so intent on making routine just weeks ago have fallen to the side. That fresh start attitude is great but with the stresses of daily life getting in the way, it’s easy to lose momentum. 80% of people give up on their resolutions within six weeks.
But you don’t need a holiday like New Year’s to kick start a new routine. It’s always a good time to improve your life, whether it’s through relationships or career or health. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of finding a new routine, one that’s comfortable and convenient for your personal goals.
Here are a few tips for keeping up with those common New Year’s resolutions that you may be struggling to keep up!
Eating Well
A busy lifestyle often means that food preparation falls to the backburner (no pun intended). But even if you don’t have the time required to devote to a diet, you don’t have to resort to fast food and TV dinners. Eating better is the most popular New Year’s resolution, with 21.4% setting the goal last year.
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Meal-kit delivery service, Sun Basket, offers healthy and delicious recipes that are ready in about 30 minutes. They deliver organic produce and clean ingredients right to your front door. You can personalize your order each week by choosing from 18 delicious recipes and 8 meal plans like Paleo, Gluten-Free, Lean & Clean, Vegan, Mediterranean, and more. Rated #1 by Buzzfeedtwicethey have more healthy choices than any other meal-kit company. Right now, they’re offering INTO readers $45 off your first two weeks of Sun Basket$35 off your first week and $10 off your second week. Order today to stick with clean eating in 2018!
Quit Smoking
It remains one of the most addictive habits, but it’s time to quit. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death in the US, taking 480,000 live, 41,000 of which being from secondhand smoke.
Sure, there’s the patch or Chantix. But it could also be as simple as replacing one vice with another. If it’s the oral fixation you need, switch to vaping or even marijuana. It’s bound to relieve more stress than nicotine, and it’s a much healthier alternative.
Working Out
Making use of that new gym membership can be tough, especially when you get back into the swing of your daily life. Only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity every week, and 67% of people with gym memberships never use them. 12% of gym memberships start in January.
Instead, invest in some of your own equipment and workout from home. Whether it’s just some small weights or a treadmill, you’ll be a lot more likely to stick to it when it comes with the convenience of your own living room.
Dating
It’s easy to swipe right a million times when it comes to your go-to dating app. Although 40 million Americans have caught on to the online dating phenomenon, 44% of adult Americans are single. January sees a huge spike in break-ups and divorces, with a fifth of people considering it the most common month to end the relationship.
So don’t worry, you’re not the only one starting over. 4.3% of people make the resolution to find the love of their life. And January 1 is the most popular day to download a new app or sign up for a new dating website.
But it’s your mindset that matters. If you choose to stick with online, make a point to meet one person for coffee a week, so there’s no pressure. Otherwise, sign up for a yoga or cooking class and just look for friends, but stay open to the possibilities.
Saving Money
Financial responsibility is easier in theory than it is to implement, especially when you can’t live without that Opening Ceremony bag. In 2017, 57% of Americans had less than $1,000 in their savings account, while 39% had no savings at all.
But it helps to write up a budget that includes all your income and all your necessary expenses. Add a monthly savings to your expenses, and treat it as a bill you have to pay just like any other. Or setup an automatic monthly savings deposit with your bank account.