It’s that time again: The New Year. If you are like many Americans, you kicked off January with a list of resolutions to lose weight, get more involved in a particular activity, or to somehow become “a better person.” However, it can be easy to get a little too overzealous in our New Year plotting. In fact, statistical data indicates that less than 10% of Americans actually follow through with their New Year goals. Perhaps as a result of their lofty (yet unfulfilled) nature, New Year’s resolutions can end up being both stressful and discouraging.

So what should we do about it? Instead of ditching goal-making altogether, why not think about changing the types of resolutions we make for ourselves by setting small, specific resolutions that will enhance daily living?  The philosophy here is that when you make attainable and uplifting goals, you will be more able enjoy (or tackle) the new year to the best of your ability. These sorts of resolutions will look different from one person to another, but here are 7 examples to get you thinking!

7 Stress-Free New Year’s Resolutions 

Document Daily

Whether through a journal, blogging, or even just using your phone camera, discover a way to document something special about each day. You can tailor this to take as little or as much time as you like. It can be a great practice in mindfulness, and you will have plenty of memories to look back on later!

Clean Your Car

This probably doesn’t apply to people whose cars are always spotless. (But do any of us who have children also have a spotless car?!) Regardless, it’s always a nice treat to have a clean car when you are on the run. It makes you feel more together and ready to face the day. Depending on your personality, you could resolve to give your car a thorough cleaning once a week. . . or even  just once a month!

Make a Tranquil Space

Like a clean car, having a special space in your home to relax can really shift your outlook. It could be a section of the office, a corner of the living room, or your entire bedroom! You decide how much time and effort you want to invest in creating a tranquil environment that you can enjoy throughout  the new year.

Better Beverages

Boosting your healthy beverage intake is a simple action that can do a lot for your physical and mental health. Drinking enough water can help ease a myriad of issues and keep everything functioning as it should. (In case you don’t know this trick, divide your body weight in half, and that’s how much water you should drink each day!) Green, oolong, and herbal teas can also be a healthy energy boost or a great way to wind down in the evenings (in place of less-healthy alternatives.)

Reclaim a Mundane Task

Think about each task you perform every day, and rediscover your enjoyment of it. Consider some ways to make it more fun. For instance, you might enjoy cooking, but you don’t have much time to experiment in the kitchen. In that case, try setting aside a night of the week to make something adventurous. Or maybe you spend a lot of time washing dishes or doing laundry. Is there a way you could listen to music or an audiobook (or watch a movie) during that time? Reclaiming a mundane task can be a practical way to cultivate a positive outlook and claim a little “you” time.

Organizational Experimentation

Organizationally speaking, there are doodlers, writers, and excel spreadsheet-ers. Instead of  resolving to “get organized,” make it a goal to figure out what your best organizational style actually is. If you enjoy it, you’re more likely to do it! Pinterest has a ton of great ideas to get you started!

Intentional Quality Time

The things that could truly make this year your best year are the memories you create with the people you love. You might decide to be more intentional about the time you spend with family and friends. This could be something as simple as taking time to sit down and play a game with your kids or have a regular date night with your spouse.

Hopefully these 7 simple resolutions have got you thinking about some goals that you can set for a happy, and less stressful, New Year!

We’d love to hear about your plans for a happy and healthy year! What are some of your goals for 2017?