3 New Year’s Resolutions That Promote Healthy Aging

It’s never too late to set new goals and change the course of your wellness or lifestyle, and if you’re searching for an opportunity to make meaningful changes, the New Year is the perfect time to get started!

New Year’s resolutions are promises people make to themselves to create healthier habits or improve different aspects of their lives. January 1 is a fresh start, but how do you pick a resolution and make it stick?

At Astral at Franklin, our senior living community promotes an environment of vibrant, active living. We provide opportunities every day for residents to prioritize and enhance their wellbeing. If you’re ready to embrace healthy aging this year, our team is sharing three New Year’s resolutions to get you started! 

1. Focus on Nutrition 

A classic resolution you see people make each year is starting a new diet once the calendar flips to January 1. Whether it’s the latest “juice cleanse” or a “10-Day Plan” that promises to help you shed pounds in a short period of time – for many, these diets don’t last.

When it comes to changing your eating habits in the new year, focus on mindful eating or the act of using your senses, emotions and thoughts to reflect on the following:

• The foods you consume
• Why you’re consuming these foods
• How the food makes you feel
• Truly enjoying the flavor and experience of the food

Hydration is also essential for boosting your wellness. In fact, older adults are more susceptible to dehydration. Increase the amount of water you drink each day in the new year to help you stay more hydrated. Some ways to achieve this could include:

• Setting hydration reminders on your watch or smartphone
• Eating foods with a naturally high water content 
• Carrying a refillable water bottle with you throughout the day

2. Get Active This Year

Just as we see people striving to improve their eating habits every new year, many people kick off the first of January by implementing new ways of staying active. Staying physically active is an excellent goal to make for yourself in the new year, as regularly exercising can improve many areas of health that can be impacted by age. For example, exercise can:

• Assist with weight management
• Improve sleep
• Build strong bones and muscles
• Improve mobility, balance, and help with fall prevention
• Decrease risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults over the age of 65 should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of physical activity. An impactful New Year’s resolution could be to challenge yourself to get more active by breaking that number down into 30 minutes a day, five days a week!

3. Find Your Purpose

Not all New Year’s resolutions need to focus on physical health. Many people aim to learn new skills and immerse themselves in new hobbies and activities. 

When you think of the word “purpose,” many different definitions might come to mind, but when it comes to healthy aging, purpose serves as a generally stable feeling of satisfaction in one’s life. It’s a feeling that you’re doing something significant, whether for the greater good of your community or simply taking part in an activity that has a greater meaning for yourself and your lifestyle! 

If you’re looking for ways to boost your purpose and level of fulfillment in your life this New Year, some great ways to do so include:

• Keeping a gratitude journal
• Volunteering in your community
• Staying social with your friends and family members
• Immersing yourself in hobbies, both old and new

Be Realistic

Taking on too much too quickly is why so many New Year’s resolutions fail. Trying to completely change your eating habits, overdoing it at the gym or radically altering your routine can lead to burnout and derail your plans. 

Instead of focusing on the larger objective, focus on taking smaller steps that will help you reach your larger goal. For instance, if your resolution is to work out five times a week, start with 1-2 workouts a week and then build to five. Starting slower and smaller can help solidify habits and make them easier to embrace! 

–
Remember that New Year’s resolutions focused on healthy aging and wellness don’t need to be completed all at once. They are lifestyle changes that are meant to be implemented over time to create a vibrant, healthy lifestyle!

We invite you to contact our senior living team at Astral at Franklin to learn more about how our community can help you achieve your healthy aging goals.