The new year is here and moving fast. And even though resolutions can sometimes seem a little cliché, it really is an opportune time to pause, reflect, and look forward to what you want to achieve in the months to come.

For many of us, those thoughts include a focus on our health and well-being. We are wondering how can we live a happy, healthy lifestyle that promotes all around wellness and what are the things we can do to start — and live — the new year with a health-oriented mindset?

That is what we are going to cover in this article — a few tips you can use to get in a healthy frame of mind to keep your sights on what is important so that your actions can follow.

1. Set SMART Goals

SMART is an acronym that stands for smart, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. They are specific so that you know exactly what it is you’re trying to accomplish, how, and by when. So, where some might say their goal is to lose weight, restating that as a SMART goal would sound something like, “I want to lose ten pounds by March 1 as a result of a consistent plan with a personal trainer and a diet designed by a nutritionist, both of whom I have appointments with Friday.”

Do you see the difference? When you establish SMART goals for yourself, you are setting yourself up for success because you are giving yourself something specific to work toward. And if you have set and achieved goals before you know this, and if you have not, you will come to find it out — it is extremely rewarding. You will have a huge sense of accomplishment as you work toward and accomplish goals.

2. Make Healthy Choices

Our overall health and well-being can be hugely influenced by the lifestyle choices we make. Following a healthy diet rich in whole, nutritious foods that provide the wide array of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients our bodies need regularly. Drinking enough water every single day. Getting a full seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Taking it easy on the stuff that’s not good for us. All these things are integral to consistently feeling your best for the long-term.

3. Prioritize Self-Care

Prioritizing your needs can feel weird and is something that many people seem to have a natural aversion to. Obviously, everything needs to be within reason, and you need to meet your obligations, but do not consistently put your needs aside to where they are never met. Make time for your physical and mental needs so that you can feel balanced, centered, and, most importantly, energized, and ready to be engaged with life.

4. Surround Yourself With People Who Support You

This is a big one. None of us should have to go through life alone. Having a support system — whatever that means for you, whether it is many or few — is one of the most beneficial assets a person can have. Friends, family, professional colleagues, the people at your health club (all of us at Rhapsody!). Wherever your tribe is, lean into them and allow them to lean into you. As iron sharpens iron, so shall one person sharpen another.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware and present in the moment you are in and acknowledging your thoughts and feelings — whatever they might be. It is a way of increasing awareness and connectedness with your surrounds and the people around you so that you can experience the full flavor of life as it happens.

How exactly do you do that? Slow down, pay attention to what is going on, put your phone away, look people in the eye when you are interacting, notice what’s around you, be mindful of your thoughts, breathing, and how you feel. Many people who practice mindfulness are better able to relax and have a greater enthusiasm for life and higher self-esteem.

Have an Amazing 2023 at Rhapsody Fitness

Do you want to experience the rewards of developing a health-oriented mindset? We are on a mission to help people achieve their personal fitness goals — weight loss, fighting disease, improving athletic performance, and boosting the physical and mental strength that helps us live life to the fullest.

Our group fitness classes will educate, entertain, and inspire you and keep you on track. And we also have personal training, a top-tier gym facility, sport-specific training, corporate wellness, nutritional counseling, and more.

We will meet you where you are and safely and effectively challenge you to become the best version of yourself. What do you think? Are you ready? Schedule your first free class today. See you soon!