Believe it or not, 2020 is just around the corner. For many people, this is the time of year when they evaluate their lives and start creating goals for a better and brighter future. While there are a lot of things people wish to improve in the upcoming year, living a healthier lifestyle is often at the top of the list. Though making these changes will take time, effort, and discipline, if you start cutting back on certain things/habits, you will begin to see improvements before long.
Not sure what to cut out this year? Here is a list of things to reduce or let go for the New Year.
Cigarettes
While many people have switched to vaping or have given up smoking altogether, there is still a large majority of people that smoke cigarettes. Nicotine and other harmful substances found in cigarettes are hazardous to your health. Not only does smoking increase your chances of developing heart disease and various forms of cancer, but it decreases your lifespan and impacts your health in a multitude of ways.
So, it’s time to cut back on the cigarettes. You can do this by switching to vaping and purchasing vape juices with lower nicotine concentration. You can also use patches, gum, and medication to try and kick the habit.
Alcohol
Though there’s nothing wrong with drinking on occasion, prolonged or heavy drinking can wreak havoc on every part of your body (and life). Those who drink alcohol heavily or on a regular basis can suffer from cognitive issues, behavioral issues, sexual dysfunction, heart and lung problems, and increase their chances of developing certain types of cancer. Prolonged drinking can also lead to dependency, abuse, and addiction which can cause problems in your personal and professional life.
You shouldn’t consume any more than one serving of alcohol per day or less. If you cannot cut back on your own or believe you suffer from alcohol abuse or addiction, it is recommended that you enroll in an alcohol detox program for assistance.
Processed Foods
Everyone makes resolutions to try and lose weight or eat better but quickly find themselves reverting back to their old habits just after the new year begins. That’s because it can be difficult to quit eating poorly instantly. It may be best to find certain things to remove from your diet in the new year and add on as you get the hang of it so you don’t overwhelm yourself. The best place to start is with processed foods. Too many processed foods cause weight issues and increase your risk of developing weight-related conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and more.
A simple way to cut out processed foods in 2020 is to start cooking at home. There are a lot of resources you can use to make cooking at home easier and healthier for you and your family. You should purchase as many fresh, organic, whole foods as possible. You can use cooking gadgets like crockpots, rice cookers, and air fryers to make cooking easier.
Stress
Last but not least on the list of things to cut back on in 2020 for a healthier you is stress. You cannot eliminate stress completely (and probably shouldn’t), but too much of it can cause issues for you physically and mentally. High levels of prolonged stress can affect everything from your mood and cognitive abilities to your skin and physical appearance.
To cut back on stress, you may need to find ways to simplify your life. Getting organized, managing your time, and asking for assistance from others are a few ways to simplify your life. You should also be aware of things that trigger stress and have methods of calming down. This might include meditating, practicing yoga, doing something you enjoy, writing in a journal, taking a nap, or going for a walk.
There’s a lot of things you could cut back on to improve your life in 2020 and beyond, but trying to pile on too many changes at once can greatly reduce your chances of succeeding. If you start by cutting back and/or eliminating the above-mentioned factors/habits from your life, you’ll find that after just a few weeks that you look and feel much better.
