Any workout or diet-related post during January gets more attention than any other month. Traffic to HFP is always at its highest, gyms are packed, trainers make their killing, and all the latest diet books and workout plans hit the market. Once the new year rolls around, it’s all about the fitness resolutions. Some succeed, and the rest fade away until the next tropical vacation comes up or it’s “summer body” season again. That’s how it goes.
If muscle and strength or endurance and athletics is your primary goal, then check out the New Year’s Resolution Success Checklist—it has over 30 workout programs to keep you busy for the next 3 years and an approach to food that will remind you that all “diets” are just marketing. Plus, there are a dozen other stories that will help you with everything from nagging injuries and stress to bad sleep and poor productivity.
Now, if you’re interested in growing more than your physical muscles, read on for a few resolutions we’re working on at HFP.
1. Let’s focus on our mental fitness.
No one needs to tell you that negative energy kills inspiration, motivation, productivity, and a million other things. What’s worse: It just piles on more unless it’s under control.
Instead of worrying about hitting a new personal record for something fitness related, let’s focus on addressing moments when we’re tense, overwhelmed, or agitated. While it may be easier said than done, awareness is always the necessary first step.
Check out our piece on strengthening your creative muscles, for tips to calming down upstairs.
And if you’re noticing that you’re feeling down more often than not, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Without mental fitness, physical fitness is pointless.
2. Let’s enrich—and escape from—our feeds.
Start being more judicious with who you follow. Try following real news stories and the people who are delivering them. Even then, take breaks from time to time. We like to “digital detox” regularly for as few as several minutes up to hours at a time. It could be one of the tricks you need to sleep better at night.
3. Let’s try to give more.
Instead of asking, “is this worth my time?” or “what do I get out of this?”, think about how it could make a difference for someone else.
Giving doesn’t mean it’s monetary. There’s lots of ways to give: time, attention, love. Giving more yourself will create a chain reaction causing others to give more.
