It’s nearly that time again. In only a few days time the ball will drop around the world. It will signal the start of something new; something exciting. The new year always spawns new hope in all of us. It creates an atmosphere of excitement for the future, where new and old aspirations alike are met with the ambition and the drive to achieve them. I love creating new year’s resolutions with my family and friends. Sharing mine, listening to theirs, and reflecting on our previous year’s resolutions has always been an annual tradition of mine along with others all around the globe.
The idea is simple enough; make a goal, set out a specific plan to achieve it, and finally look back at the progress you made in the span of a year. This is exactly what we’re going to do. My new year’s resolution is to create more time for myself. Mental and physical wellness is not usually a priority for many young people, and unfortunately, I’ve found myself doing just that. Finding time in your busy schedule to rejuvenate and recharge your mind and body should always be a daily goal. A small break can go a long way.
This is how I’m going to create more time for myself. The following list is a grouping of daily steps that I intend to take in order to achieve my goal in promoting my own mental and physical wellness; a goal I hope everyone (including you!) are striving to accomplish as well.
- Plan out each day.
This one may seem simple enough, however, I’d bet most people are doing this incorrectly. Plan out your day completely. It may seem like a stretch but the more thorough you are, the better. Almost every minute should be scheduled, including time you’ve set aside for yourself. This step will require some serious self-discipline. For this to work you can NOT stray from your schedule.
- Find or revive a hobby.
What’s the point in setting time aside for yourself if you’re not looking forward to it? If you have an old hobby that you’ve stopped participating in, the new year will be the perfect time to pick up where you left off. For me that’ll be playing video games. Picking up my controller, with the knowledge that the next hour is only for me and my PS4 is a moment I’ve been looking forward to for a while. If you’re in the market for a new hobby I would advise you to look for something that does not require a lot of commitment. Remember, you want to relax and rejuvenate so make sure your choice in hobbies reflects that.
- Sleep early, wake up early.
This is certainly the most difficult step to take. Always make room for sleep. Prioritize it by any means possible. A healthy sleep cycle is extremely important to everyone, especially teens. Going to bed a few hours earlier in order to obtain a full 8.5-9 hours of sleep is well worth it in the long run. Planning out your day goes hand in hand with this step. Be proactive, enjoy a good night’s rest and promote both your physical and mental wellness.
