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<p>Many people make resolutions every year. If you&#8217;re like many people, you may stick with your resolutions for a while but give up because it&#8217;s not really what you want or need. This year, don&#8217;t make resolutions based on what you think you should do but rather what you need. Whether you&#8217;re a college student navigating online learning, a job seeker trying to stay encouraged, or a professional feeling anxious and burned out, it&#8217;s important to include resolutions that focus on self-care. In this time of uncertainty, putting your mental and physical health is imperative. Read on for some 2022 resolution ideas to help ease stress and burnout.</p>
<h3><strong>Practice Good Sleep Hygiene</strong></h3>
<p>Sleeping has a variety of benefits from improved memory to reduced stress. Getting enough quality sleep should be a top priority no matter your age or lifestyle. Set a bedtime and try to stick to it, even on weekends and vacations. Stop using electronic devices an hour before bed and don&#8217;t consume caffeine in the hours before bedtime. Ensure that your bedroom is set up for optimal sleep &#8211; cool, dark and quiet. Add relaxing activities into your night time routine &#8211; a hot bath, reading or listening to relaxing music.</p>
<h3><strong>Find a Creative Hobby</strong></h3>
<p>You don&#8217;t have to be a creative person to enjoy a creative hobby. Anyone can find something creative they enjoy. With a creative hobby, the result isn&#8217;t as important as the process. Some ideas include playing an instrument, knitting, adult coloring books, gardening and photography.</p>
<h3><strong>Make One Healthy Food or Drink Substitute</strong></h3>
<p>Instead of the traditional New Year&#8217;s diet, try making just one healthy food or drink substitute. This may mean substituting sugary soft drinks with sparkling water or replacing red meat with baked chicken or fish. Making a small change can lead to great improvements in your health and inspire you to start making other healthier decisions.</p>
<h3><strong>Learn a New Language</strong></h3>
<p>Learning a new language isn&#8217;t only useful for your career or in day to day life. It also improves memory (both short and long-term) and enhances problem solving skills and creative thinking. Many apps, such as Duolingo, offer free language learning courses that are both interactive and fun.</p>
<h3><strong>Do Some Exercise Most Days</strong></h3>
<p>Working out is a common New Year&#8217;s resolution, but most people set the bar too high and give up after a short period. Instead of joining a gym or vowing to exercise an hour a day, just try to do some type of physical activity most days. Find things you enjoy, whether it be walking, riding a bike or yoga. Then have your workout gear in a prominent location so you don&#8217;t forget. Keep a log of what exercise you do, when you do it and for how long. Don&#8217;t feel discouraged if you can only fit in a few minutes or have to skip a day. The point is to stay motivated and develop a habit.</p>
<h3><strong>Keep a Journal</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.collegecareerlife.net/the-best-journals-and-planners-for-2022/">Writing in a journal</a> can be therapeutic for those experience stress, loneliness, and depression. Even if you feel good, keeping a journal helps you record important memories or feelings that you can look back on in years to come. A journal doesn&#8217;t have to be a neatly written detail of your day . It can be drawings, poetry, or positive affirmations.</p>
<h3><strong>Limit Social Media Time</strong></h3>
<p>One of the best new year&#8217;s resolutions you can make is to limit time spent on social media. There are numerous platforms that can suck up a lot of your time and leave you feeling depressed or anxious. Set a limit of time you&#8217;ll spend each day on social media and stick to it. Also try to check social media just once per day at a maximum. Delete any platforms that you think may be damaging your mental health.</p>
<h3><strong>Read for Fun Every Day</strong></h3>
<p>Reading is a great way to wind down after a stressful day and escape your worries for a while. Although many set a goal for the number of books they wish to read each year, it&#8217;s less pressure when you aim to just read daily. Some days you may read half a book while others just a few pages. The point is to enjoy reading rather than to feel pressure to finish a certain number of books by the end of the year.</p>
<p>In 2022, make your resolutions manageable. And rather than focusing on self-improvement, put self-care first. When you take care of your mental and physical well-being, you&#8217;ll find that self-improvement naturally follows.</p>