5 New Year’s Resolutions You Should Make
As we bid adieu to 2020, we must not forget the lessons that we have learnt in the past year, especially during the pandemic. Despite 2020 being a tough year for most people, it has given us the courage and strength to face the challenges that 2021 might bring. We are now several weeks into the new year, have you made your new year’s resolutions?
The tradition of making new year’s resolutions actually originated from the reign of Julius Caesar, and people then usually made resolutions that were moral in nature. For example, being kind to others, abstain from lying or practice forgiveness. However, in modern times, new year’s resolutions have evolved into personal goals and ambitions that individuals wish to achieve in the year. If you haven’t made one, read on for some great resolutions that can guide you through 2021.
1. Prioritise Your Mental Health
According to Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health, the prevalence of mental disorders in Singapore’s resident population is 12%, which is a huge indicator that individuals should take mental health more seriously and journey towards mental wellness.
Mental wellness is a positive state of mental health – it isn’t simply the absence of mental illnesses, it means that your mind is in order and functioning at its optimum and in your best interest. There are many ways to achieve mental wellness and one great way is doing yoga regularly as yoga slows down our heart rate and calms our mind with meditation and breathing exercises, which reduces stress and tension in our body.
2. Move More
After going through the worst part of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we can all agree that there is nothing more important than our health. In 2021, instead of telling yourself that you want to lose weight, why not just make it a point to be more active than you are now? You don’t have to be specific with your resolutions. Simply telling yourself to “move more” is more than sufficient, as you will know what you have to do to achieve your goal. Start by “moving” 30 minutes a day. Whether it is walking instead of taking the bus or cycling instead of taking the bus, as long as you have clocked in 30 minutes of physical activity a day, you are on track!
3. Spend More Time in Nature
Rejoice, we are finally in Phase 3! Instead of heading to the shopping malls every weekend with your friends, why not try a change of scenery and go hiking at a nature reserve? Research has shown that spending some time amongst lush greenery can make you happier, boost your immune system and give your brain a “reboot”. Go ahead and give it a shot. If you enjoy it, make it a point to spend more time in nature at least once or twice a month.
4. Read More
When was the last time you picked up a book instead of your smartphone? Make it your resolution to take up this forgotten pastime of yours again and you will soon find that there is much to gain from the habit of reading. Other than obvious benefits like expanding your vocabulary and gaining knowledge, reading regularly helps your mental health as it allows your mind to unwind from reality as you plunge into the “flow state”.
5. Pick Up a New Skill
Keep your mind active by picking up something new in 2021. Be it a game of chess, going for a basic course for video-editing or picking up a new language, learning a new skill will bring you countless benefits. Armed with new skills, you might even be able to qualify for more job openings and more opportunities at your current job in the new year.
If you are interested in learning conversational English or Mandarin, School of Language International (SLI) has just the right courses available for you. Choose from our range of online, private and group classes to kickstart this new year’s resolution.
2020 has undoubtedly been a tumultuous year for many people. Let SLI journey with you in 2021 into a year of self-learning and self-improvement to better prepare you for any challenges that life throws at you in future.
