19 Goals for The New Year!

A new year is an opportunity to make new goals and standards for life. These 19 goals can help improve wellbeing, health and finances as we go through the year.

Engage in Less Screen Time

Technology dependence is negatively affecting family interactions. Studies have shown that parents are increasingly feeling disconnected with their children as a result of long working hours and virtual devices.

Take time away from smart phones, tablets, and televisions. Instead schedule designated time to do face to face activities with your family.

Find Time to Engage in Activities You Love

Long work days and family obligations make it difficult to squeeze in leisure activities. Taking time to engage in enjoyable activities helps to battle feelings of stress and depression.

Take time to read, watch reality tv and have a good laugh, or go to a cooking class.

Learn a New Skill

Learning something new may not have been a priority since school days. However, obtaining new skills can make a person more attractive to employers, refine existing skills, or just make life more exciting.

New skills can be learned from web videos, free or inexpensive web apps or physical class rooms.

Eat Healthy

Healthy eating improves body functions and protects against weight related illnesses. Try to eat at least 3 balanced meals per day.

Know What You Spend

Take time to be self aware. Do you want to buy a home or a car in the future? Financial awareness is one step to planning for future purchases.

Set Aside Emergency Funds

Statistics show that the average American household has less than $1000 in emergency savings. What happens if a water heater breaks or a vehicle breaks down? Set aside a portion of each paycheck to cover emergency occurrences.

Start a Budget

Budgets are often viewed negatively. People see them as punishments for poor money management skills. They are viewed as difficult to adhere to. Starting a budget and following it can have life changing results. It improves financial management by tracking what funds go in and out of the household.

Pay Off Debt

Most households have at least $5000 in credit card debt. Interest charges and payments on debt take away from opportunities to buy desired things, can cost employment opportunities and contribute to stress.

Make a plan to begin tackling debt starting with the smallest.

Sleep More

Sleep allows the body time to recharge. Functionality at work and school decreases with lack of sleep. In the new year make time to sleep 6-8 hours each night.

Detach from Social Media

Frequent use of social media apps can negatively impact self view. Talent on these apps often perpetuate unhealthy appearance standards.

Take breaks to avoid over saturation with images that can promote unhealthy ideals.

Practice Body Acceptance

Reality programs, advertisements and media are not always representative of all body types.

Filters in apps make us believe our real self needs to be altered. Attempt to love yourself and focus on what makes your body wonderful.

Exercise More

The body creates endorphins that combat stress following exercise. This can lead to improved quality of life.

Make time to exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.

Negotiate a Raise

Americans have found that regularly occurring raises have become elusive. Take initiative and ask for a raise.

Drink More Water

Hydration is important for many physical functions. Dehydration can lead to mood impairment, reduction in working memory, and cause fatigue.

Improve Productivity

Allow more breaks through out the day. Time work obligations to determine natural breaks in activity.

Take Time to Read

Most people read little outside of work and the classroom. Leisure reading boosts creativity and can be calming.

Meditate

Studies show that daily meditation reduces anxiety and stress, improves circulation and can protect against illness.

Plan Your Day at Night

Morning times are often rushed with getting ready for work and school. In the hustle, out the door items are forgotten, and stress is elevated. Take time each night to plan for the morning.