Flipping the Script on Resolutions: MORE, not Less
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Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels
By: Lindsay Taylor PhD.
Resolutions season is rolling around again, and I want to propose something a little different this year.
What if we all agreed to resolve for MORE? More what? More of whatever brings meaning or happiness to your life. More of the things that fill your proverbial bucket.
I’m proposing a mindset shift for this coming year. Instead of looking at your life and asking, “What needs fixing?” or “What ‘bad’ behaviors do I need to change?” what if you asked yourself:
“What can I add that would make next year more joyful?”
“In what ways would I like to grow next year?”
“How can I help myself flourish?”
We all need and deserve more good right now. Here are some ideas getting more out of the coming year.
More Green
No, not money (though good for you if you get it!). I’m talking about nature.
If you didn’t jump on the houseplant bandwagon last year, what are you waiting for? Houseplants can help reduce stress and negative emotions. Place a few plants in your workspace to improve attention and productivity.
Plant a little garden this year. Gardening can be incredibly therapeutic, and it is one of the activities that helps Blue Zones residents stay active well into their ninth and tenth decades, while also providing fresh food. Have a brown thumb? No problem, you can bring more green into your environment by painting a wall or adding green accent pieces to your decor. There’s a whole field of study called “color psychology” that suggests that the color green evokes feelings of peace and harmony. Add some green to your workspace to boost creativity.
Get more green exercise, meaning exercise done in nature. Green space produces myriad health benefits ranging from stress reduction to better immune function to longevity. This need not be time-consuming or arduous exercise either. Research suggests that just five minutes of walking in nature or gardening can significantly improve mood and self-esteem.
The Japanese practice of forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, involves deliberate slow walks through forests (or other green spaces like parks). In order to reap the many physical and mental health benefits, however, you must unplug and make a concerted effort to be present in the moment, noticing the sights, sounds, and smells around you. (More forest bathing is my number one intention for next year.)
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