New Year’s Resolutions Every Woman Should Make

Every year there’s a pressure to magically turn into an incredible new version of ourselves as soon as the clock strikes twelve on January 1st. The gyms are packed, the juicers are flying off the shelves, the manifestation journals are making their way onto everyone’s nightstands, and we are back to our old routines and habits by February. The pressure from society, businesses trying to make a quick buck, and our own minds is exhausting and not practical.

Although many people’s new year’s resolutions tend to fail, there truly is something special about wanting to take your life down a more positive, healthy path, but it has to be done the right way. You can’t expect yourself to change overnight, nor do you want that kind of pressure to start you off in the new year.

Here are a few simple and realistic resolutions every woman can make and succeed in this year!

Cut Back on Caffeine

If you want to start living a healthier lifestyle in the new year, it’s important to take small steps toward your goal. Try cutting back on the amount of caffeine you take in daily. Caffeine intake exceeding a healthy amount may lead to side effects. Symptoms of too much caffeine include the following:

Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Anxiety
Chest pain
Headache
Increased heartbeat

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, adults should not consume more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily. This comes out to about four or five cups of coffee.

Perform a Social Media Cleanse

Social media has taken over our lives within the last decade, consuming much of our free time. The things you watch and interact with online influence you, so be sure you are intaking positive and helpful content that inspires you.

Open your social media apps and go through to remove or hide toxic people from your friends and followers lists. Browse your accounts; do certain people post things that make you feel drained or upset? Improve your social media experience by filtering them from your feed. You will be surprised how much better your mood gets once you start consuming content that only makes you feel happy and light.

Move Your Body

Movement is important not only for our physical health but for our mental health as well. This year, try to get more movement throughout your days, like taking the stairs when you can, parking in the farthest spot at the grocery store, or purchasing a treadmill desk for your at-home job. You don’t have to join the most expensive gym in your town and do intense weightlifting every day to be healthy. Find an activity you love, like yoga, kickboxing, jogging, dancing, etc., and do your best to incorporate that movement into your week. When you find a workout you enjoy, you are more likely to stick with it.

Prioritize Your Health

As women, we tend to put others before ourselves. Our families and children always seem to need us, so our needs and wants are put on the back burner.

This year, remember that you cannot be there for the loved ones in your life if you don’t take care of yourself first. Make it a priority to schedule your yearly physical, not just with your primary care physician but with your gynecologist as well.

Many women suffer from excruciating period cramps every month and don’t realize this isn’t normal. Severe cramps during or around the time of your period could signal something much more serious, like endometriosis!

Don’t be afraid to speak up and take control of your health and wellness in the new year, and don’t forget your annual pap smear, as this is one of the best ways to catch cancer early.

At South Avenue Women’s Services, we are a full-service, well-woman, and family-planning OBGYN clinic. We focus on the health and safety of our patients and provide women with all the information necessary to make educated decisions about their bodies.