2. Try a new recipe each week

Do you find yourself eating out more often than you’d like because you don’t have time to cook? Or perhaps you’re bored from eating the same meals every week.

Trying a new recipe each week is a New Year’s resolutions goal that you can actually practice since there are so many food bloggers out there who will email you weekly.

If you don’t know already, I’m all about meal planning as part of my self-care routine. You can read more about it in The best meal planning guide for beginners and get some ideas and links to easy recipes.

3. Read more books

As a young child, reading helped me learn how to communicate better in a foreign language and learn critical thinking skills. Books have always been a big part of my self-care routine because it helps me slow down, travel to another world, and use my imagination.

If you’re someone who wants to start reading more books, I highly suggest GoodReads which provides recommendations based on what you’ve previously read, connects you with authors and people who have similar tastes and you also join a reading challenge as a New Year’s Resolutions goal in 2021.

4. Join a club

Starting a new hobby is one thing, but joining a club will help you meet new people in the process. Sites like Meetup can help you find a group of people with similar interests, and you can work on creating digital meetups with new friends in the process.

I met two of my good friends by joining a book club! You’ll be surprised by how pleasant it is to join a club and you’ll encounter people you probably never would have otherwise.

5. Tidy up each week

I hate clutter in our house. It stresses me out and irritates me. Fortunately, I’m married to someone who also likes to live in a tidy environment, so we both make a concerted effort to tidy up daily to avoid a messy home.

Whether you use Kondo’s method or you have your own system, making a New Year’s resolutions goal of tidying up weekly has numerous benefits for you including feeling calmer and more focused.

7. Eat more veggies

Remember what I’ve said previously about “you are what you eat?” Yeah, it’s a general mantra I follow since I really believe what you eat makes a difference in your self-care, mood, energy, health, and overall well-being.

Try to incorporate fresh vegetables and fruits into your weekly meal planning and even going to the farmer’s market. One way of doing it is to challenge yourself to have a variety of colors on your plate every day. My friend Kristen Kirkpatrick, RD has some fantastic ideas on how to do this.

8. Share your resolutions with a friend

The best way to hold yourself accountable for your New Year’s resolutions is to tell someone about your goals.

When you have an “accountability buddy,” you’re far more likely to achieve your goal because you know that someone is going to ask you questions about it. You usually want to honor what you say you’re going to do, so by telling someone your goal, you will be more committed to following through with it.

9. Schedule all your doctor’s visits

I’m shocked by the number of people I know who have not seen a physician and use urgent care as their doctor. Perhaps you think, “I’m young, I’m healthy, why do I need to see a doctor?”

Trust me, I’m speaking from experience as a medical social worker. Find and establish care with a primary care doctor.

In January, make all your doctor’s appointments for the whole year, and attend them. Make sure you complete your annual comprehensive blood work, screenings, etc., You will save yourself countless hours of anxiety, stress, money, and time in the future by being proactive and getting preventive health care.

10. Take care of a plant (or two)

Did you know that being around indoor plants can lower your stress levels? One study even found that actively caring for plants calms your autonomic nervous system and lowers your blood pressure. Even better, when you work near plants, your concentration and mood improve.

So one easy New Year’s resolution can be to take care of a plant. If you’re not sure what type of plant is right for you, stop by the garden center and talk to the florist. Tell them what you’re looking for and they can play matchmaker to find your ideal plant for your home or office.

11. Plan a vacation

You may think this is a ridiculous New Year’s resolutions goal but according to research, planning, and thinking about an upcoming vacation can boost your happiness for weeks.

One of the best activities my husband and I started doing during the pandemic was to take road trips. It’s safe, inexpensive, easy to do, and still gives us the emotional boost of traveling to a distant location. We both love to travel overseas, but until it’s safe to fly, we’re sticking to road trips.

So think about a few places that are easy to drive to and plan a day or weekend trip. It is a great way to get out for a change of pace and try something different.

13. Invest in your skincare

One of the best self-care rituals and New Year’s resolutions you can incorporate into your daily routine is to take better care of your skin. To do this, start following these skincare tips and invest in yourself.

Remember, your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it is your body’s first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.

14. Drink more water

Did you know that your body is made up of 70% water? Your cells depend on being hydrated to function at their best. When you’re well-hydrated, you’ll notice that you will eat less, are in a better mood, and have more energy.

The easiest way to stay hydrated is to carry around a water bottle. My favorite water bottle is from Lifefactory because it is made out of glass and not plastic. I take my water bottle everywhere I go.

15. Start therapy

Do you want to work through your emotional baggage so you’re in a better state of mental and emotional health now and in years to come?

If this sounds like you, check out This is how to start therapy the right way to find out if therapy is right for you, and how to find a good therapist. You can also access free online support groups on topics ranging from anxiety to addiction.

16. Volunteer

Research shows that volunteering regularly can lead to less stress and lower blood pressure and improve your mental health. If you’re not sure where to start, create a profile on Volunteer Match and you will be matched with opportunities that highlight your strengths, skills, and interests.

17. Listen to a book while exercising

Do you want to combine goals of reading and exercising as your New Year’s Resolutions? Then listen to an audiobook while exercising!

According to a research study by Management Science, exercisers that listened to an audiobook worked out 51% more than those who didn’t.

You can download free audiobooks from Hoopla Digital with your library card.

18. Try weight lifting

Do you want to get stronger, have better posture, and boost your metabolism? Then try weight lifting as a New Year’s resolutions goal. Remember, weight lifting isn’t just about bulking up and building muscle mass. You can also have better sleep, gain bone density, maintain weight loss, and reduce inflammation.

My favorite set of dumbells that I use with my home workouts are Tone It Up Dumbbells from Target. They’re inexpensive, comfortable, and easy to use.

19. Mix up your workouts

There are lots of benefits of doing this, primarily because your brain likes change, your body will thank you and most importantly you will be happier. If you’re still not convinced, read 7 reasons why you should mix up your workouts.

20. Hang up some photos

Did you know that displaying photos improve your happiness? In happy and long-lived cultures, people often display items from their families’ pasts, says The Blue Zones of Happiness author Dan Buettner. “They remember and honor where they come from,” he says. “We find that in happier cultures around the world, folks feel like part of a continuum.”

So find and frame some of your favorite photos or hang meaningful memorabilia on shelves.

21. Delegate more chores

Do you hate doing chores and procrastinate or avoid them altogether? You’re not alone. Delegating chores is one New Year’s Resolutions idea that many of us can try to improve our life.

If you have the resources, try a time-saving service like TaskRabbit to get someone to clean out your garage, assemble furniture, or clean your home.

If money is tight, swap your chores with a friend so you both help each other out!

22. Donate old clothes

When was the last time you went through your closet and drawers and got rid of clothes you don’t wear? If it’s been more than 1 year, then one of your 2021 New Years Resolutions is to conquer your closet.

To do this properly, you have to set aside time and a few big bags for your donations. Then go through each item, one by one. First, check if the clothes are in good condition. Next, see if you wear it regularly and lastly if you have not worn it for over 1 year, it’s time to donate or sell it. My favorite place to sell clothes I don’t wear is CrossRoads Trading Company.

23. Explore new hobbies

We all have a daily routine that we adhere to that works for us. However, exploring new hobbies will help you get out of your comfort zone.

One of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2021 can be to try something new once a month. Perhaps you can try a new cuisine, take a painting class or try rollerblading. Something fun and different will eliminate boredom and boost your mental and emotional health.

24. Play upbeat music

Want to feel happy right away? Then play upbeat music. Research shows that a happy tune has remarkable benefits like reducing pain during exercise, elevating your mood, and lowering stress.

Make a playlist or ask Alexa to help you out with finding some happy songs.

25. Start taking your lunch break

Are you one of the folks that skip their lunch break or eats while sitting at their desk? According to a survey, only 1 in 5 Americans actually takes a lunch break even though taking a lunch break actually improves your productivity.

So make your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions goals to take your lunch break. Perhaps you go on a 30-minute walk or you read a book. Whatever you do, step away from your work station, stop working, and relax during your lunch break.

28. Practice gratitude

What would you say if I told you that practicing gratitude (ideally writing in a journal) is an easy solution to relieve your stress, anxiety, and worries.

There are numerous benefits of having a regular gratitude practice. For one, gratitude remarkably creates chemical changes in your brain, which causes a positivity chain reaction. Learn more at How to start a gratitude practice and change your life.

29. Start journaling

The beauty of journaling is that it “gives voice to your feelings.” Having a space to write is a way to channel parts of your mind that you didn’t know existed until you started accessing them. To get started read Journaling for Beginners: A guide to reduce your stress and solve your problems.

30. Focus on single-tasking

Do you think you get more done if you multitask? Oddly enough, multitasking doesn’t make you more efficient, it makes you more stressed and less productive.

If you want to be more mindful and learn to single-task, organize your activities into chunks of time, like cooking time, and cleaning time. Next, commit to being focused on only those tasks. You’d be surprised by how much better you feel and the more you get accomplished.

31. Walk more

We all sit way more than we should and even if you can’t start a new fitness routine, you can try walking more. Walking is a simple yet effective way to get moving, increase physical activity, and even promotes weight loss.

Most smartphones have a built-in step tracker so try walking more as you New Year’s Resolutions goal for 2021.

32. Make sleep a priority

Sleep is an essential part of your life and something that you need to devote to doing to preserve your mental and physical health. Establishing good habits will make a significant difference in your life because you will find that you have more energy and feel better.

To get started, one of your New Year’s Resolutions should be to follow these 8 simple tips to help you sleep better, feel more energetic and productive during your day.

33. Make a self-care plan

Self-care is growing in popularity. It’s a hot topic that gets a lot of attention, especially right now with the uncertainty and stress that we are all living in. However, in spite of the self-care trend, many people continue to struggle to understand what it means and how to get enough of it.

If you’re ready to make 2021 your best year yet, download my free self-care guide and integrate these 5 self-care tips that will change your life.

34. Get more sunlight

Sunlight is essential for your mental and physical health. Light exposure has a ton of positive effects including setting your internal body clock, helping improve your sleep, and regulating your hormones.

Try to spend at least 30 minutes a day getting natural sunlight exposure. If natural sunlight is unavailable, you can still get the neurological and psychological benefits from an artificial lightbox.

35. Learn to manage your stress

When you’re under stress, the amygdala in your brain is activated, consequently releasing cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals are designed to help you for a short time.

When you’re under chronic stress, there is inflammation in your body, and your immune system is suppressed. Consequently, you’re more likely going to get sick and your skin will break out. For this year’s New Year’s Resolutions check out The ultimate way to fast stress relief.

36. Learn to breathe correctly

Whenever you are feeling stressed and anxious, it is common to have shallow breathing. To change this, you can focus on your breathing which will reset the “fight or flight response.” In addition, deep breathing can prevent the onset of panic, and the unpleasant physical symptoms associated with anxiety.

Next time you are beginning to feel anxious, try square breathing. Visualize your breath traveling along a square. As you follow the instructions to inhale, hold your breath, or exhale, count slowly to four on each side.

37. Start your morning positively

In the morning when you first wake up, (before you look at your phone) take a few minutes to quietly reflect and express gratitude for what is going well in your life. This is a simple exercise, yet it reaps numerous benefits according to positive psychologists.

39. Meditate in the mornings

Meditation is a simple practice that is available to you at any time and has remarkable effects on your brain and body. Studies have shown that regular meditation practice reduces stress, helps manage anxiety, increases calmness, and promotes happiness.

You can get a step by step guide on how to begin a meditation practice. Take a deep breath, and get ready to relax and start a path towards self-care, balance, and wellness in 2021.

40. Get rid of clutter

Do you sometimes open a drawer and find it stuffed and then immediately close it because you don’t want to “deal with it.” Yeah, I know the feeling but you’ll thank yourself later once you start going through it and donating/recycling/disposing of items.

There are numerous benefits to decluttering. Start now so that you’ll feel more energized, less anxious, stressed, and more relaxed in 2021.