“2023 is going to be my year” you caption your Instagram photo dump of your NYE celebrations which is bound to get a few likes that will boost your self-esteem for a minute. But, just like New Year’s resolutions, we know that the validation of Instagram likes never lasts long. So, we are bringing to you 6 new year ‘resolutions’ that will make you healthier in 2023 – all year long.
We have seen it everywhere, more so lately with all the NY posts from our ‘fitfluencers’. “Motivation dies, discipline thrives.” Motivation comes and goes, it’s true. Sometimes our children stay up all night, our jobs get in the way, or our period pains are excruciating. Let’s stop relying on motivation for a healthier life, instead we need to make lifestyle changes. Small yet sustainable swaps to our everyday behaviours and habits.
The following resolutions do not seem profound, but when you look back at 2023 you will be surprised to think of a time when these habits didn’t feel like second nature to you.
1. Drink more water
Listen, we have all heard it. Our first resolution is the most boring but also the easiest to implement. Our bodies are said to be made up of about 60% of water. There is no need to go drinking 4L of water, your body thrives when you are drinking the optimal amount of water which is about 2L (8 cups) for adult women and 2.5L (10 cups) for adult men. How do I drink more water? You buy a cute water bottle (duh).
The CHEEKI Insulated Classic Bottle Matte Black 1L bottle is your best friend for those who love to tick things off their list – drink your first full bottle of water by lunch and then refill at lunch and finish the remainder before bed. If you prefer to keep things as simple as possible (how can we make water any more simple?) The ENVIRO PRODUCTS BPA Free Drink Bottle Matte Turquoise Frosted 2.2L is your go to girl – fill it up in the morning and finish the bottle by bed.
2. Improve your gut health
Your gut health can impact your immune system, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Having great gut flora can help make you feel great or help prevent gut and absorption issues. Your gut may even determine your mood, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation in the body.
In 2023, we are getting on top of our gut health! True health begins in the gut. Sticking to a whole foods diet inclusive of all food groups (proteins, carbs, fats) full of whole grains, fermented foods (we love kimchi here) and fibre rich foods promote the good bacteria in your gut. On top of this, to make sure everything is balanced, you can take a supplement to improve your gut microbiome. Our favourite at the moment is the GELPRO Collagen Gut Health Powder 325g which supports your general gastrointestinal system health.
3. Get active
Forget the word ‘resolution’; we are talking about lifestyle changes! You need to find your WHY. Why do you want to lose weight, become healthier, or be more active? Here are a few why’s you might be able to relate to: your kids, your lifespan, your brain cognition, or maybe even your expensive jeans. Everyone’s why will be different!
Lacking motivation? Create a ritual around your activity or exercise! Just like creating a bedtime routine of drinking a cup of chamomile tea so your brain knows that sleep is coming, you can also create a ritual that alerts your brain to know that exercise is coming. The HAPPY WAY Charge Up Green Apple 300g is the perfect pre-workout ritual. This clean and natural pre workout provides the boost you need without the additives, preservatives, or other nasties that other pre work out powders may contain!
4. Practice gratitude daily
2023 is the year of prioritising our mental health. We are prioritising our mental health walk at lunch, social media detoxes and switching off on weekends. A small yet significant way to flex your mental health muscle is to practice gratitude daily. Simple measures like writing 3 things that went well that day can help to boost your confidence, self-talk and appreciation. If that sounds too complicated, take the thinking out of it and buy yourself a Collective Hub gratitude journal that comes with prompts and guides for what to write. It is so beautiful that you won’t have a reason not to pick it up every night. Find the Collective Hub range in your local WholeLife store.
5. Be a sun-safe queen (or king!)
2022 really brought to light the importance of caring for our skin – a moment for the skincare sector of Tik Tok. 2023 is the year to seriously implement sun safe measures. Let’s create the habit of applying sunscreen daily (if you don’t do this already… helllooooo wrinkles). You should be wearing sunscreen all year round, even in winter as Australia experiences high UV levels all year around. In 2023, make it your mission to build the habit of applying sunscreen every single day so that it no longer feels like a chore. We have a huge range of sunscreen options at wholelife.com, and our current summer favourite is the WE ARE FEEL GOOD INC Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ 200ml.
6. Visit your Pharmacist more
Want to spend less time at the doctors in 2023? You can certainly improve your health by implementing the above points into your new year. If you do find yourself sick, injured or needing a little extra TLC, remember that you can go to your pharmacist for a range of services that your doctor offers (without having to book or sit in the waiting room). Here is a list of services you may not know that you can go to your pharmacist for: absence from work certificate, dose administration aid, eye care, sleep health services, screening and risk assessment, hearing checks & impairments.
