The new year and new decade are officially here, and that means it’s time to start focusing on your life and figuring out ways you can better yourself. As a perfect time to start implementing new lifestyle changes into your routine, there are many resolutions and ways you can take time for yourself and improve in the process. Here are the best ways to set aside some time and what you should be doing with it.

#1: Stay active

As cliche as it always is in the New Year, starting up a daily exercise routine is a great way to set aside time for you to work on your physical development. Turning a set amount of time at the gym into your routine can help you reap benefits in more ways than one. There’s no secret that exercise promotes healthy internal body growth, but it can also boost your energy and memory. 

Your brain and body work on a collaborative basis, meaning that keeping your body in great shape will only help you cognitively function better. As you work out, particularly doing aerobics like running or swimming, these activities will release endorphins and other chemicals to your brain that will help in reducing stress, lowering anxiety, and even helping you get extra sleep. Start by finding a gym, a time slot, and a series of exercises, and get to work!

#2 Unplug and Disconnect

It’s common to struggle with putting down your technology, especially in a time where it seems almost essential to be connected in one way or another. However, this year, try setting the electronics down for a little bit, whether it’s your phone or tablet. 

Instead of filling your time sitting behind a screen, try cracking open a good book or a journal with writing prompts. Limiting your screen time will help reduce the fear of missing out, and will allow you to clear your head and focus on what’s really important. This is especially important right before bed, as screen time is linked to poorer, restless sleep.Resisting the urge of social media and reflecting on your own thoughts can only help you grow mentally and seek true happiness. 

If you’re really looking for a challenge, try your hand at staying off your screens for a set amount of time. Commit yourself to a week, and if you’re up for it, try a month. Then measure your happiness before and after. 

#3 Freshen Up

Life can get tough, and for many people, keeping track of their looks daily can get thrown by the wayside. It’s important to remain confident in your skin and be proud of your appearance since it’s a huge portion of your overall identity. Adding in a little self-care, finding an allocation of time each day to pamper and perfect your look can leave you with a smile and a significant boost of self-confidence and serotonin.

For women:

There are a few things that you can do to get you quickly feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Start by washing your face or setting aside some time to a daily face mask. Introducing these nutrients into your skin pores will have your skin looking sleek. Plus it’s quite relaxing! Pair this up with taking a soothing warm bath and applying lotion from your feet to your hands and you will be feeling the best in your skin.

For men:

While many men still fall into the stigma of not buying into beauty self-care, it’s just as important as it is for anyone else. Much like the ladies, the best way to start is by washing your face. Men in particular struggle with staying on top of their skincare, so dedicating a little extra TLC in this regard can go a long way. Other ideas you should look into include investing in a men’s shaving kit to help you stay up on your grooming, as well as quality shower products to have you smelling and feeling great.

#4 Meditation 

If you find yourself struggling to find time in a day to work on yourself, meditation and yoga are great ways to lower stress and reduce anxiety. Luckily, meditation can be done anywhere, and there are a variety of apps that you can download to your phone to help guide you. This can help you reshift your focus from the daunting task of work or school, back to what matters the most, you.

It’s time to make 2020 a year full of self-care, positive habits, and an overall healthy lifestyle. After you find the time in your schedule to set aside the time, start thinking of the many different ways to get you in the right mindset for the year!