Wellness: 5 New Year Resolution Tips

At the end of the year, many of us like to look back and create ways in which to better ourselves and improve wellness. Wellness is defined by the Global Wellness Institute as ‘the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health’. This is seen as a preventative health measure. In that when our physical, mental and emotional health is at its best. We are less likely to develop certain health issues. And we can be more equipped to deal with the stresses of modern life.

What simple New Year resolutions can we make to improve wellness? And how can we ensure that we stick to them to achieve our goals?

THE BEST NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE WELLNESS

A 2002 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that participants who made New Year resolutions were ten times more likely to succeed than those who did not but still wanted to make changes. To be most successful in achieving your goals, you should create specific tasks which fit into your daily routine. Eventually, over time these will become new life habits rather than resolutions, making them easier to complete and maintain. Here we look at our top five New Year resolutions to improve wellness. Furthermore, the ways in which you can fit these into your daily life for the best chance of success.

–          Meditate

If you have felt particularly stressed over the last year, meditation is a great activity to develop into a habit. According to the Mental Health Foundation, meditation has shown increased activity in the amygdala. The part of the brain associated with positivity, and this can decrease stress levels and increase productivity. Furthermore, there has been much research such as this 2009 study published in the Consciousness and Cognition journal which suggests that meditation can have a direct effect on attention levels and cognitive health. Improving brain functionality for all, even those who perhaps don’t feel a large amount of stress.

One of the most popular meditation apps at the moment, Headspace. It contains hundreds of guided meditations which aim to help you destress whilst working, relaxing, or preparing to sleep. So much choice allows you to select the perfect meditation guide for any mood, whilst science backed activities ensure both novices and experts get the most from meditation.

–          Look after your skin

As part of improving your overall wellness, perhaps it’s time to refresh your skincare routine. If you suffer from dull or dry skin or you’re prone to breakouts, the New Year marks the perfect time to make changes to improve your complexion. The British Skin Foundations states that there is evidence to suggest that skin conditions or diseases can cause psychological distress. And smooth, glowing skin isn’t only an indication of healthy, nourished skin; it can also boost your self-esteem. This helps to create a positive cycle, reducing stress hormones which can cause or exacerbate common skin conditions.

One really simple way to look after your skin is to regularly exfoliate. You can use Malée’s Conditioning Body Scrub just once a week to gently remove layers of dead skin cells, which can often cause dry, patchy or flaky skin. Exfoliating can also help to prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. As these can often be caused by dead skin cells becoming trapped in the pores, blocked by excess oil. Our body scrub isn’t just gentle on the skin, it includes multi-grain salt as a natural exfoliant. This allows you to speed up cell renewal without the use of harsh chemicals. Enriched with natural antioxidants and essential oils, you can ensure your skin looks fresh and healthy, creating a balanced foundation for any daily skincare routine.

–          Get moving

The National Institutes of Health lists getting active as the first strategy for improving physical wellness. If you can, try to set time aside in your daily routine for physical activity, whether that’s walking, running or a high intensity workout. By consistently doing this at the same time every day, you’re enforcing the resolution to become habit. A 2019 study published in Obesity scientific journal found that the 68% of participants who reported exercising at the same time every day managed to stick to their routine. And this can help you achieve your goals.

Depending on the work-out time which fits in best with your life, you may find that you are showering or bathing more. When water hits the skin, it acts as a magnet, drawing moisture from the skin. This can lead to dehydrated, dry, or flaky patches. To ensure you can do more physical activity without having an adverse effect on your skin, you can apply Malée’s Conditioning Body Cream instantly after every shower. Our moisturising cream contains active ingredients which penetrate the skin. It restores lost moisture whilst creating a light, non-greasy seal to prevent further moisture loss. Made from 100% natural ingredients such as avocado oil and sweet almond oil which are high in vitamins A, B and D. Your skin will be nourished and hydrated, leaving it smooth and glowing from top to toe.

–          Join a club

Joining a club can be a brilliant way to improve overall wellness and quality of life. Taking up a hobby gives you something productive to focus on, outside of normal work and family life and joining a club means there is also a social aspect. If your physical health is something you wish to focus on, signing up to an exercise class can be a good way to meet new people whilst improving fitness. Alternatively, for those looking for a quiet form of escapism, meetup.com. It allows you to find local groups in your area covering a wide range of hobbies from reading to quizzes. The site also includes a variety of live talks and discussions around health, wellness, and lifestyle. This enables you to seek support from peers.

–          Be kinder to yourself

Being kind to yourself isn’t just a resolution you should make; it is also crucial in the success of any other resolutions. One of the best ways to improve overall wellness is to improve your relationship with yourself. This means not being so critical of yourself, understanding that slip-ups can sometimes happen and setting time aside each day to do something exclusively for yourself. This can range from person to person, perhaps taking the time out to go to the gym or enjoying a restful evening routine.

If you choose to take the time out for a resting activity, natural fragrances can help to enhance your state of relaxation further. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience found that some plant-based fragrances may work to reduce stress and anxiety and induce relaxation by influencing the same receptors and parts of the brain that prescription drugs affect. Malée’s Verdure Soybean Candle emits an uplifting and refreshing fragrance, containing citrus, mint and patchouli scents for an invigorating experience. Lighting the candle in the evening can be further beneficial. By creating low lighting which can help your body to prepare for sleep and keeping your circadian rhythm regulated.

CONCLUSION

To improve your overall wellness, you need to concentrate on your body, mind, and emotions. Creating simple, achievable changes to your daily routine can improve your quality of life and increase your chances at succeeding. Skincare, meditation, and exercise can have fantastic results whilst being kinder to yourself helps to lower stress levels. Resulting in having a positive effect on your physical, mental, and emotional health.

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