1. Listen to novels while you work out.
According to a study in Management Science people who saved an audiobook for their work out hit the gym 51% more often than those who didn't. Perhaps listening to an intense thriller while working out is the best form of cardio, and will make the treadmill time fly. Audiobook lenders such Audible allow you to try it for yourself and it is free for 30 days.
2. Relax.
No, literally, relax and start working on letting go of any pent up stress or anger you are holding on to. Health is wealth and constantly feeling angry and frustrated can lead to less than desirable long-term effects on your overall health. Chronic anger can impact the body in more ways than just one such as inducing headaches, anxiety, digestion problems and high blood pressure, among other problems.
3. Cut back on alcohol.
It may not be what we want to hear but maybe what we need to hear. There’s a reason dry January is popular today and not only is drinking alcohol associated with a wide range of health risks, it also costs a lot of money.
4. Get that water into you.
Water that is, we all know we need to hydrate and it is especially important when some of us get only six hours of sleep or even less. You’re more likely to be dehydrated the day after a disrupted night of sleep, because a hormone that regulates your body’s water conservation is released during later stages of sleep. So down some extra water on those days if you can but remember, most things are good in moderation but too much water can be tricky for your gut.
5. Take the stairs.
Try to take ten minutes to run up the stairs in your office, at home or in a nearby park. A published study in the journal Physiology & Behavior found, for example, that tired women who climbed stairs for 10 minutes got a bigger energy boost than those who had the caffeine equivalent of a soft drink or half a cup of coffee.
6. Lift weights.
If you've already mastered your cardio workouts over the past few years, 2025 might be the year to try incorporating a new routine. It is as simple as getting a quality set of dumbbells to help elevate your workout which will improve your stamina and help build muscle. Dumbbells also work well with many of the other workout equipment you might already have in your home gym to advance your workout.
7. Try a guided workout or class.
How many of us have signed up and paid for a gym membership that we do not use? There is no need to pay for a new membership or shell out for a new premium subscription to try a new routine. There is nothing wrong with going back to basics and simply going onto YouTube where you can find a lot of programming from qualified experts who can teach you everything from dance classes to 15-minute core workouts. Many channels offer a full suite of programs that you can follow for weeks at a time.
8. Stop procrastinating on a tough decision.
The stress around a major life decision can often cause us to freeze in our tracks. Mental capacity has been known to be reduced by stress and anxiety, but a major change requires a fair amount of brain power to navigate. The ironic aspect of this is that prolonging what needs to be done can further exacerbate stress and restart the vicious cycle. Empower yourself to begin making hard decisions this year with what's known as the B.R.A.V.E paradigm, which can help you cut away from this endless loop.
9. Head outside without your phone.
Short of deleting all social apps, it can be hard to trade screen time for more productive pastimes like walking the dog or grabbing a coffee with friends. However, whether you’re Team iPhone or Team Android, be sure to download the latest software to access built-in tools that help you track your personal app usage.
10. Make your bed every morning.
Yes, it's time to grow up and get ourselves together. Mastering the art of making your bed will transform your space in such a simple way but it will also kickstart a productive morning routine. Become a pro at taking care of your pillows, sheets, and comforter in 2025.
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