Ditch the daunting resolutions.
Start off the new year with these six fun and easy habits! Boost your energy and brighten your mood by adding these simple, enjoyable steps to your daily routine—for a happier, healthier you.
1. Hydrate with colour
Drinking plain water can be a challenge, especially with more tempting options like bubble tea and frappés around every corner. Sometimes, it can even feel like a chore trying to drink 2 litres of water a day.
But what if staying hydrated could be a fun and refreshing experience?
Infusing your water with fruits or herbs is a simple yet effective trick to make staying hydrated more enjoyable.
Adding sliced fruits like strawberries, oranges and cucumber can add a hint of natural flavour along with a pop of vibrant color to your drink. Get creative by pairing herbs with fruit such as mint and lime for a refreshing twist. This way, you not only hydrate but also help your body detox alongside reaping added nutritional benefits.
To spice things up, try experimenting with a new flavour combination every week and get your friends involved so that drinking water becomes a fun game you can all look forward to. For extra motivation, fill it up in an aesthetic water bottle or a fun bottle with time markings to encourage you to keep at it.
With a little creativity, drinking water can become a delightful daily ritual that you’ll look forward to!
2. Your 5-Minute stretch (or dance) routine
It may be difficult to set aside an hour, but 5 minutes is all you need to feel energised and focused, especially if you’ve been seated all day long.
Start by stretching your arms up towards the ceiling, gently tilting your head from side to side, and loosening up your shoulders with some gentle rolls. Next, try simple leg swings and hip circles to get your blood flowing. For extra guidance, check out a quick YouTube video!
Feeling extra lively? Put on your favourite upbeat song and dance it out for a few minutes – twirl,spin, shimmy, or bust out your own moves. The sillier, the better! The goal is to enjoy yourself, let loose, and relieve tension while moving to the beat..
This quick routine not only increases your flexibility and range of motion but also improves your circulation, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day.
3. Bask in the sun
Start your day with sunlight.
The bright morning light signals our body that it’s time to wake up which regulates our circadian rhythm and helps us fall asleep better at night.
Spend a few minutes outside in the morning – whether it’s taking a short walk to get your breakfast or simply stretching outside your balcony. This can improve your mood, energy levels and overall sense of well-being.
4. Good night, screens
We spend a significant amount of time online, with an average of 7 hours of daily internet use, 2 of which are dedicated to social media, according to CNA.
As the day comes to a close, it’s essential to prepare your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep. One simple yet effective way to do this is by enabling night mode on your devices, which filters out blue light and reduces screen glare,promoting the production of melatonin – the sleep hormone.
Take it a step further by setting a bedtime routine that signals to your brain it’s time to wind down, and pair it with an alarm for the next day to ensure a smooth morning.
By disconnecting from screens and giving yourself time to relax, you’re setting yourself up for a restful night of sleep. This boosts mental clarity and prepares you for a fresh start tomorrow.
So, go ahead and say goodnight to your screens – your mind and body will thank you!
5. Gratitude log
Life can get pretty overwhelming when we’re juggling work, social commitments, and everything in between, which can easily dilute the good experiences in our lives.
Practicing gratitude isn’t just uplifting, it’s also important. It promotes a more positive outlook by encouraging us to focus on the good aspects of our lives, which can significantly boost happiness.
But gratitude doesn’t have to be serious or solemn. All you need is a notebook or a journal and a few minutes each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.
Some people prefer to write first thing in the morning, while others like to reflect at night before bed. And why not make it colourful? Use markers, stickers, and stamps to decorate your journal and make it vibrant.
Alternatively, you can create your very own ‘Gratitude Jar,’ where you write down things you’re thankful for on slips of paper and review them at the end of the year or, whenever the jar is full!
If you prefer a digital approach, Apple notes or Notion can be super helpful. You can create pages for each day, include images, and even record voice memos to express what you’re thankful for.
Joining challenges like those on Lumihealth can keep you engaged with a reward system while helping you experience the many benefits of maintaining a healthy mind and body. Gratitude is not a one-size-fits-all practice, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you!
6. A Kindness challenge a day
Spreading joy does not have to involve high-commitment activities like volunteering for an organisation. Instead, start where you are and with what feels most comfortable to you.
Inspire others and make a difference in the world around you with a kindness challenge. It could be something simple, like making someone smile by paying it forward—buying a coffee for the person in line behind you, complimenting someone, or writing a gratitude letter to a friend.
Take it a step further with thematic days:
- Matching Mondays: Start the week by matching a donation amount.
- Tuesday Talks: Lend an ear to someone who needs one.
- Wednesday Walks: Take a walk with a friend or loved one.
- Thursday Thanks: Express gratitude to someone who has made a difference in your life.
- Feel-Good Friday: End the week by doing something kind for yourself or someone else.
Before you know it, kindness will become a habit.
As we step into the new year, let’s embrace the spirit of kindness—towards ourselves and others.
Cheers to a fun-filled year of self-care, kindness, and compassion!
What are some interesting habits or skills you’d like to pick up? Let us know!