This year you might be preparing for the holiday in the same way you have many other years. But, if you’re like most people, you might be able to identify with one or all of the following questions:

Are you exercising before the holidays because you know you’ll miss most of your workouts?

Are you closing your eyes, ignoring all the healthy eating habits you established, and just not worrying about what happens during the holidays until January?

Do you tell yourself that this pattern is just what you do every year?

Are you pre-dieting to lose some weight before the holidays?

The New Year is often seen as a good time to change habits or start new ones for several reasons:

Symbolic Fresh Start: The New Year symbolizes a fresh start and new beginnings. Many people see it as a clean slate, a time when they can let go of past failures and start over with renewed motivation and optimism.
Time of Reflection: The end of the year often prompts introspection and reflection on the past 12 months. It’s a time when people are likely to consider what they’ve achieved, what they haven’t, and what they’d like to change. This often results in setting new goals and habits for the upcoming year.
Collective Habit-Setting: Since many people around the world are also setting resolutions and goals at the start of the New Year, there is a collective sense of motivation and camaraderie. This can provide extra encouragement to stick with new habits.
Calendar Structure: The New Year offers a clear and straightforward timeline. It’s easy to measure progress over the course of the year and set specific time-bound goals.
Holiday Season Over The holiday season often comes with indulgence. By the end of it, many people feel ready to make healthier choices, making the New Year an ideal time to establish better habits.
Psychological Benefits: From a psychological perspective, making a resolution itself can motivate and give a sense of control over one’s life.

5 Life-Changing Healthy Habits To Adopt In 2022

I can ask you more questions, but you get the idea. The New Year’s Resolution or diet that many of us attempt to take control of our health does not always serve us very well. Realistically this year will be very similar to how you always spend your holidays. The steps you take are the key to your success, and I’m sharing 5 small healthy habits that you CAN stick to in 2022 and beyond.

Creating small habits that you can do with your eyes closed, not even thinking about it, and done consistently over time will produce results. However, it’s often best not to try to do it all at once, even if you want to, because it all just feels so overwhelming and can lead to self-sabotage.

Let’s apply that to the 5 life-changing healthy habits to adopt in 2022.

Drink a glass of water before having your coffee or tea in the morning.
Exercise every day.
Eat more protein.
Reduce stress.
Gratitude.

These are 5 small but life-changing healthy habits to adopt in 2022. They are not overwhelming. Instead, we start with baby steps and, if practiced over time, generate the results we’re looking for in our health.

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