Small changes that you could make this year
Rather than drastic new year’s resolutions which are hard to keep, we suggest small ways to change your habits, which can make a big difference! It’s just easier to commit and follow through successfully if you keep your goals simple and clearly defined. Start small and work your way up. In order to make “sustainable changes”, experts recommend taking small steps.
1. Set up a time each week, or even fortnightly, to call, text or email a family member or friend! Research from Harvard University suggests that meaningful relationships can help improve emotional, mental and physical health and while there is no substitute for face-to-face contact, making the effort to stay in touch with one of your family members or friends is a good way to strengthen these vital bonds and get a boost of happy hormones.
2. Commit to a random act of kindness every week. Now more than ever we all have to chip in to make the world a better place and spread cheer. Research has shown that being kind to people increases our levels of happiness. And it doesn’t matter who those people are or how small your deed may be – Buy an extra coffee for the next person in the café; Give someone a compliment for their great service; buy a sandwich or coffee for a homeless person; Volunteer your time for 2 hours a week to a charity or to help a family member/friend; Play with a child; Tell a random stranger they look pretty Or simply donate a small amount of money to a cause you believe in.
3. Look after yourself! Remember that in order to give your best to the world you first need to feel your best! You do not have to take drastic measures to improve your physical and mental well being – Take a 30 minute walk a day, it can add up; Buy yourself flowers; Go see a friend; Take up yoga or meditation, even if you only do it once a week it will make a difference; Aim to drink more water; Slowly read a self help book, even if you are reading only a few pages a day; Intend to cut down on one sugary item, for example if you normally have two cans of a soft drink a day, commit to reducing that to one can of drink; or even making time to just simply be with yourself and do nothing! Nobody can change overnight, that is why the small changes are a start and they add up eventually.
4. Make small changes to help save the planet. It is our responsibility to leave a better world for the future generation. If we want a better future for our children and our grandchildren, we need to start making changes. However, those changes do not have to be drastic! As Anne Marie Bonneau said:
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Examples of some of the small changes that can be made are: switching to reusable cups and bags; planting nectar rich flowers; Buying loose fruit and vegetables at supermarkets; Ditching non-recyclable wrapping paper; recycling – even if you start with one item such as plastic bottles; avoiding water, energy and food waste where possible; saying no to cutlery and sauce sachets when getting a take away; Choose to walk rather than drive or share a ride with someone; Going vegan only once a week, and many other ways!
5. Slowly cut down on time you spend on social media. Now is an excellent time to review how many studies show that too much social media can stress you out, and consider simple ways to cut back. You can take small steps such as deleting your apps, switching off notifications or setting time limits on your usage. Start off by reducing it down by an hour and then slowly reducing it more and more. Consider having a complete digital detox day once every few weeks.
We wish you all the best this year with your goals, whatever they may be – just remember to break them down into small manageable steps! May you succeed and prosper this year!
