2021 is more than half over, and you’ve probably forgotten all about your New Year’s resolutions at this point. But, you don’t need the flip of a new year on the calendar to set goals for yourself so that you can live your best life.
To be a whole and healthy you, you have to prioritize yourself every day.
In this post, we are going to share How To Keep Yourself Accountable For Your Self-Care Resolutions/How To Keep Yourself Motivated.
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Why We Lose Sight Of Our Wellness Goals
As adults, we’re busy. That’s probably the number one reason that people put themselves on the back burner. After all, you only have 24 hours in each day, and you have to handle work, kids, social responsibilities, cleaning house, fostering romantic relationships… The list could go on.
There’s also the factor of money. We often get caught up in the belief that self-care “treats,” such as a gym membership and healthy foods, simply cost too much. This requires a new frame of mind, and you have to remind yourself that skipping crucial self-care tasks now might buy you more time today, but it will cost you later on.
Self-Care Goals To Prioritize
While you will define self-care differently than others, there are a few wellness categories that everyone should at least consider. These include managing your weight, exercising, reaching your professional goals, getting enough sleep, and making time for yourself as well as those you love.
Healthy Weight Loss
Healthy weight loss starts by knowing what to eat. Some foods, such as pears, apples, and nuts, are healthier than others. The Be Active Be Healthy Be Happy blog has discussed this topic before and emphasizes that food and exercise are the keys. Not sure where to begin?
Start by eating whole foods and exercising for a few minutes each day.
You can also skip the pre-packaged snacks, and eat before you’re actually hungry.
Watching your weight does not mean following a strict diet, and many of us can reach our ideal BMIs simply by listening to our bodies, according to Gundersen Health System.
Exercise
Being active every day is an excellent first step toward building your fitness routine. Whether you are just starting out or have already started getting your heart rate up each day, you have to be mindful that you continue to keep moving.
Exercise isn’t always easy, but you can schedule it into your day in sneaky ways that won’t make you regret buying those new sneakers.
One example: walk to the grocery store. If you live within a couple of miles, a trip once each week for your essentials can help you shed an extra 240 calories, or more than a pound in just 10 weeks.
Professional Endeavors
We all have to work, but many of us don’t make enough to make ends meet. If your goal is to make more money, there are a few ways that you can do so so that you and your family can enjoy a lesser-stress lifestyle.
The most logical: go back to school. There are many grants and loans available that help even adults obtain a degree. Importantly, you don’t have to attend a brick-and-mortar institution to advance your career, even if you’re planning on getting an MBA. If you do choose a Master’s in Business Administration, this will put you in a great position to become an entrepreneur.
You’ll learn a lot about business strategy as well as how to assess yourself and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. You can also start a side business doing anything from blogging to mowing lawns to give yourself an extra $12,000 per year or more.
Sleeping Soundly
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead!” How many times have you heard this phrase uttered by busy moms, professionals, and college students? Probably more times than you can count.
Unfortunately, not getting enough sleep now may put those with this mantra that much closer to the grave.
Sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle, and simple steps, such as turning off your devices, minimizing stress before bed, and eating healthy foods, can all promote restful slumber.
Keep in mind that sleep is the only state in which your body can self-repair, so it’s crucial if you want to stave off the physical and mental decline that naturally comes with age.
Time Together
Back to that 24-hours-a-day thing. You also have to use some of your time to focus on fostering relationships with people that you love.
Your family and friends do so much to improve your mood and overall quality of life. Although you don’t have to plan a get together every day, having something in the books, such as a backyard barbecue or weekend trip, does give you something to look forward to.
A word of caution here: don’t use social media as a replacement for socialization. Forbes reports that, although social media does trigger your brain’s reward center, it can also lead to depression and anxiety. Social media often portrays other people’s lives as idealistic.
When we look at this compared to our own, we can begin to feel inadequate. Remember, behind the smokescreen of all those perfect posts is a life just as chaotic as your own.
Tips For Daily Self-Betterment
While caring for yourself is an intentional act, it does not have to be at the front and center of your attention all the time.
Here are a few quick tips on things you can do to be on your best health behaviors every day:
- Eat breakfast, but skip the pastries.
- Stretch each morning before you get out of bed.
- Meditate in the shower.
- Keep your house clean.
- Keep healthy snacks, like sugar-free granola bars, on hand.
- Play outside with your kids.
- Tell other people your goals.
Conclusion
Accountability is so much more than simply tracking progress. We can keep ourselves in check each day by prioritizing our goals and doing little things that help us reach them.
From going back to school to increase your income to learning how to listen to your body’s hunger cues, everything you do each day can build or break your healthy habits.
Thanks for reading. How to keep yourself accountable for your self – care resolutions, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
