Sometimes it’s the little things! Here are 10 small habits to make the new year the best year yet, plus expert advice for sticking to your new year’s resolutions.

The new year is just around the corner, and like many people, you may be feeling inspired to make positive changes in your life and health.

This feeling of hope, optimism and excitement is key to wellbeing. So, how do you get your new year’s resolutions to stick?

The good news for busy caregivers is that positive habits stay put when you start small. Read on for ten small habits that make a lasting impact, plus expert tips for turning your new year’s resolutions into long-term good habits. 

10 Small Habits for a Great New Year

Here are ten small habits anyone can try to make a big difference in physical and mental health. From getting in more steps to stepping up the gratitude practice, it all counts! Use this list as inspiration to choose your own new habits to try in the new year.

1. Gratitude journal. Keep a notebook near your bed and jot down 3-5 things you’re grateful for each evening. Practicing gratitude has been shown to improve overall wellbeing, and gratitude practices at night can help improve sleep.
2. Floss. Flossing daily will help keep your teeth healthy longer (and make for more pleasant trips to the dentist). Plus, there is some evidence that a healthy mouth is linked to heart health.
3. Stop scrolling at night. Set an alarm to remind you to turn off your devices, including the television, about half an hour before bed. You’ll sleep better!
4. Drink water when you wake up. Did you know that most people don’t drink enough water? Even mild dehydration can lead to headaches, fuzzy thinking, and overeating.
5. Own your phone. Which notifications are actually useful on your phone? Turn off all but essential notifications to take control of when and how you use your phone.
6. Unfollow and unsubscribe. Notice what’s cluttering up your social media and inbox. Unfollow or mute accounts that no longer feel good to you when you see them. Start unsubscribing from store emails that have accumulated since the holidays. Unfollow or unsubscribe from one or two things a day as they appear on your screen.
7. Bring snacks! Get in the habit of always having a small snack with you, like a packet of nuts or a protein bar. A quick, healthy snack will help keep you from overeating later or making hasty decisions due to hunger.
8. Park purposefully. When you’re physically able and it’s safe, park your car farther away from building entrances than usual. Instead of fighting for the perfect parking space, get in a few extra steps. It adds up!
9. Five-minute meditation. Set aside five minutes each day to breathe, meditate, or pray. Whether listening to a short, guided meditation or taking a few deep breaths before going into work, take time for yourself to rest, reset, and reconnect.
10. Use a timer. When you find yourself putting off a task, set a timer for five, ten, or fifteen minutes, and do as much as you can in a short time. You might find be surprised how much you accomplish.

Get Started and Stick With It

New year’s resolutions are notorious for losing steam within a few weeks. Despite everyone’s best intentions, forming new, good habits can be challenging. Here are some expert tips to help you start – and stick to – good habits.

• Think tiny. Researcher BJ Fogg, PhD, a behavior scientist at Stanford University, suggests building good habits by starting with the tiniest achievable version of the new habit. For example, if your goal is to read more, make a habit of reading one paragraph of a book or an article each day.
• Celebrate every win, no matter how small. Give yourself a pat on the back, put a sticker on your calendar, or sing yourself a victory song. You did it!
• Try one new habit per month. Tackling too many new habits at once can be overwhelming.
• Stack habits. “Habit stacking” is attaching a new habit to one already in place. If your goal is to get in the habit of drinking more water, incorporate it into your morning routine. You might place a glass of water next to the coffee pot and sip water while the coffee brews each morning.
• Get curious. Sometimes a new habit doesn’t work, or you forget about it. Ask questions: was there something in the way of the habit? Did you take on too much at once? Or is the new habit just not as important to you as you thought?
• Make it easy. Put items associated with your new habit where they are easy to access and will serve as a reminder.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference, especially when it comes to developing new habits. Just as every journey starts with a single step, big positive changes start with small actions. Get inspired, get curious, and make it a great year!

All of us at Sunnyside Manor wish you a safe, happy, and healthy new year.

Learn More About Why Families Rely On Sunnyside Manor

When you have questions about senior living, we are here to help. Sunnyside Manor offers assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Learn more about Sunnyside Manor’s resources for caregivers. Whether you’re looking for short-term support or a longer-term plan, begin with our “Getting Started” guide. Please call us at 888-696-2052 to speak with a senior living expert.

Sunnyside Manor, located in Wall NJ, is the area’s premier family-owned senior living community. The community features three distinctive neighborhoods: Independence ‘Plus’ Assisted Living, Recollections Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.