Over New Year's Resolutions? Then Consider These 10 Small Goals For a Healthier 2021

The human body can’t function without water, so staying hydrated is one of the most essential ways to take charge of your health. Also, dehydration can make you tired. Multiple factors, like how much you work out and your environment, will determine exactly how much water you should be drinking, but look for simple ways to drink more throughout the day, and make sure you’re adequately replenished before, during, and after workouts.

“Go vegan” feels like a big goal for most people, and I know from experience it isn’t a sustainable choice for everyone. “Eat lots of plants,” however, is a simple goal that can make a huge difference. Ample research shows that plant-rich diets help protect against conditions like heart disease and cancer. To avoid any accidental food (and money) waste, be sure to check out these tips for keeping fruits and veggies fresh for as long as possible.

Reading is a healthy escape, and books are a great way to learn about different cultures and perspectives. Reading can also help ease anxiety, and reading before bed – or in bed, especially as an alternative to tossing and turning all night – can actually help improve sleep over time. That said, reading a book every week isn’t a realistic goal for everyone (it certainly isn’t for me, and I majored in English), so my suggestion is to read one book a month. If you prefer audiobooks, get yourself a library card and download Hoopla and OverDrive.

Spending less time on your phone – especially in the midst of a global pandemic – might not sound easy, but I recently deleted all social media apps from my iPhone, and that act alone reduced my screen time by more than 50 percent. However you make it happen, limiting screen time is a good way to reclaim your free time, and limiting social media is one therapist-approved way to cope with COVID-19 anxiety.

It’s recommended that adults strength train twice weekly and log at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, but if that doesn’t feel realistic for you right now, that’s OK. The important thing is to create (and stick to) an exercise routine that works for you and to find ways to live a more active lifestyle in general. For me, that currently looks like averaging two long bike rides or walks each week, stretching regularly, and cleaning daily.

From relieving stress and pain to boosting our immune system, laughter really is medicine. That’s why listening to a funny podcast could significantly improve your overall health and wellness, especially if you make it a weekly (or biweekly) habit. To get you started, check out these podcast picks.

Sipping herbal tea is a sneaky way to stay hydrated, and herbal teas can be helpful for everything from managing migraine headaches to soothing anxiety and reducing bloating after a big meal. Personally, I drink two cups of Tension Tamer Herbal Tea by Celestial Seasonings daily to ease anxiety and make sure I’m getting enough vitamin B12 as a vegetarian. Perhaps – especially if you’re perpetually dehydrated, sleep-deprived, or over-caffeinated – drinking more tea is a healthy goal to aspire to.

It may seem tedious, especially when you’re super tired, but flossing daily and brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice daily is crucial for maintaining good oral health and hygiene. If your smile doesn’t motivate you, consider this: poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, pneumonia, and other health conditions. If it’s not already part of your self-care routine, make it a goal in 2021 to floss daily and brush your teeth once in the morning and once before bed.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t just feel good, it may actually strengthen immunity, reduce your risk of disease, and improve your sleep. There are lots of simple ways to practice gratitude daily – keeping a gratitude journal is one popular method – but if the thought of adding another task to your daily routine is too overwhelming, consider writing just one gratitude letter in 2021. Think of someone in your life who deserves it, and write from your heart.

These days, phone calls are one of the safest ways to stay in touch with our loved ones, and from reducing stress to improving our sense of self-worth, quality friendships make us healthier. Because most of my closest friends (and many of my family members) are scattered all over the US – and the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t seem to be going away soon – I’m setting this small goal for 2021: call a long-distanced loved one monthly. If you have any long-distance friendships, you might consider setting this small goal for yourself, too.