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It's always the same old stuff for most of us: "Lose weight, be healthier, be more successful".
But what if you could pick resolutions that are smarter and will lead to lasting results instead of changes you stick to for just a few days or weeks?
Here are some suggestions to start 2018 off the smart way!
1. Relax smarter: Brief breaks throughout the day
Instead of days where you feel like your agenda is running YOU and you have no time to stop and think, take back control with this simple approach: several brief moments in the day where you take a step back.
Tool to recommend: 7 second meditation app lets you get calm with different 7 second messages that remind you to take a break from thinking and running around (Free with optional in-app purchases)
2. Sleep smarter: Optimize your sleep
Don't make rookie mistakes with the activity that takes up about a third of your life. Science has shown there's many tips and tricks that lead to better quality sleep. Time to kick the bad sleep habits in 2018 and get smart about sleep!
Tool to recommend: Shleep app is a daily sleep coaching program developed by a team of sleep experts that takes just 5 minutes a day (Free with optional in-app purchases). iOS and Android
3. Exercise smarter: Pick up high intensity interval trainings
In 2018 you want to exercise the smart way, not spend hours at a time with little result. Instead spend less time on exercise, but make it count. HIIT is the way to go, it stands for high-intensity interval training and combines a mixture of short bursts of intense activity with periods of rest. In addition to the health benefits, HIIT leads to more efficient burning of calories than other types of exercise.
Tool to recommend: Seven app is a great place to start as it has helpful illustrations and instructions (Free with optional in-app purchases)
4. Eat smarter: Reduce your sugar intake
Eating smarter isn't just about eating fewer calories, it's about eating the right calories. There's hidden sugar in many of our everyday food and drink items that might seem completely innocent. The USDA has put guidelines forward on the maximum amount of sugar, but the average American consumes almost triple that amount. Time to figure out how much hidden sugar is in your diet!
Tool to recommend: Sugar Smart, developed by Public Health England which lets you determine the amount of sugar in food and drink (Free)
5. Work smarter: Work in shorter bursts
Time your work in the way your brain prefers it, which is not in long stretches at a time, but instead taking regular breaks. One approach is the Pomodoro method where you work in 25 minute intervals.
Tool to recommend: A simple cooking timer will do the job! Here's how to do it:
- Choose a task to be accomplished.
- Set the timer to 25 minutes
- Work on the task until the timer rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
- Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
- After 4 work bouts you take a longer break
If you want to go digital there's apps for web or desktop (e.g., PomoDone, free with optional in-app purchases). iOS (Pomodoro Keeper, free with optional in-app purchases).
For more web-based activities for wellness, check out berkeleywellbeing.com.
