How to stick to your wellness goals this year

Self-care is much more than just a buzzword, but how can we integrate it into our lives naturally?

Guest written by Gabriel Patel

With so many of us racing against the clock each day to meet our personal and professional goals, it can be frustrating to attempt a new wellness routine. Keeping up with the needs of your mind and body can be challenging if your schedule is packed or if the routine itself is stale, but there are several things you can do to remain consistent and motivated.

Make it fun

A workout can only take you so far before you start to feel bored or unchallenged. Making every move a little more fun can help you stay focused, and music is a great way to start. Not only does it keep you moving, it can also give you a little push at the end when you’re tired. Investing in some tech will allow you to easily keep track of your steps or listen to your favorite workout playlist, so look for some helpful workout apps and choose a great set of headphones that won’t slip or break the bank. 

Ask a friend to join you

Whether you want to eat a healthier diet, start a running routine, or try a new workout such as yoga or Pilates, asking a friend to join you will make the process much more fun. Not only will you be more motivated to stick with it, having someone along for the ride will provide some accountability as well. Workouts are easier when you have a friend there to pass the time with, and when it comes to healthier eating, the two of you can support one another and trade new recipes or meal-prep ideas; in fact, you can find some great recipes at Pandora’s Health that will help you get started. Having a workout buddy can also provide a measure of safety, especially if you’ll be exercising outside of a class.

Build your confidence

Self-care isn’t solely about taking care of your physical wellbeing; it’s also important to take your mental health into consideration. If you’ve been thinking about going back to school, there’s no time like the present. Not only will it allow you to move forward with your career goals, it can also help you build confidence, learn leadership and self-awareness, and learn how to self-assess your skills to identify strengths and weaknesses. An online MBA program will give you the tools you need to learn business strategy and management on your own time, cutting the stress out of earning a degree.

Track your progress

No matter what your wellness goals are for the year, it’s important to track your progress. Whether that means photographing a physical transformation, keeping up with your grades in school, or tracking the number of miles you’ve run, having a timeline of your hard work and proof of your victories will keep you motivated to push on. This is especially important in boosting confidence, since it can be hard to stay on track if you can’t see the progress you’ve made. Being able to see how far you’ve come will allow you to adjust your goals, as well. Utilize apps when possible, or keep a diary detailing your activities that you can look back on later. 

Integrating self-care practices into your lifestyle doesn’t have to be frustrating or overwhelming. Think outside the box a bit when it comes to your goals, keeping in mind that wellness encompasses many aspects–not just the physical. Taking your overall well being into consideration will allow for balance so you can feel good no matter what’s going on in your life.

Have a success story you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments!

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