New Year, Better You: Whoa Dough’s 2022 Resolutions

It’s never too late to get started on your new year's resolutions or goals. Start 2022 off right with Whoa Dough’s top ten suggestions for how to make this year the best one yet! 

1) Establish More Concrete Organization Skills

I’m sure this is the one goal you always have the best intentions for but seem to lose focus on as the year slips away. One of the most beneficial ways to stay organized is to keep a checklist and time-block your schedule by focusing on one task at a time. Oftentimes it is easy to become overwhelmed with the enormous list of tasks you have to complete on your to do list. By implementing the habit of time blocking, you write down your schedule for the day stating exactly what you have to do and when you are going to do it. Allocating specific time slots in your day to certain tasks and activities alleviates extra stress and assures you that you are capable of accomplishing your goals and getting everything done in a timely and efficient manner. 

2) Develop Better Sleeping Habits

Sleep is one of the most overlooked and undervalued healthy habits one must prioritize as it plays an extremely important role in both your physical health and mental well being.  Additionally, developing better sleeping habits will make you much more refreshed and ready to take on each day with extra energy. It is recommended that the average adult gets at least 7 hours of sleep each night to provide proper functionality and limit risk of health complications. To make this goal much more realistic and feasible, start with small steps by going to bed just 5-10 minutes earlier each night. 

3) Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle

Here at Whoa Dough, we believe health is about balance. To implement balance into your lifestyle, we suggest you find the sweet spot in eating healthy without making compromises as it pertains to taste, quality and texture. You can still eat foods you enjoy by finding healthy substitutes and alternatives. Luckily there are a multitude of healthy food brands that adhere to diet trends, allergy diagnosis or intolerances and stomach sensitivities. Companies like Whoa Dough make eating healthy more sustainable and realistic. Make sure to check out our latest blog post titled New Year, New Healthy Snacks for inspiration on how to start eating cleaner this year!

4) Read More, Scroll Less 

Head to your local library or get on Amazon to grab yourself a new book! There is truly no better time than the winter season to cuddle up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a great story. Reading also serves as the perfect opportunity to channel our energy into something more productive than mindlessly wasting away the day scrolling through social media on our phones. Not only does reading act as an alternative to screen time, but it is also proven to increase your brain power as well as reduces stress! No stress? Say less! 

5) Spend More Time with Family and Friends

Living and working in such a fast-paced world where everything evolves and happens so quickly can often lead people to subconsciously shy away from things that are important to them. It’s imperative that amidst all the urgent work calls and demanding meetings you establish a solid and secure work and social life balance. Whether it’s planning a family game night or dinner with friends, make sure to arrange time in your schedule to make those people important to you a top priority. 

6) Reduce Single Use Plastic Consumption 

According to the United Nations Environmental Program, the world produces about 300 million tons of plastic waste each year. Unfortunately, people around the world have become obsessed with single use or disposable plastic items because of their accessibility and convenience in that they can easily be thrown away while on the go. This action does not go without severe consequences as it dangerously affects the environment. Thankfully, you can easily do your part in helping to reduce excess waste and reduce the human carbon footprint by switching to reusable products including reusable water bottles, grocery bags, produce & snack bags, silverware & dish ware etc.  

7) Prioritize Your Health & Become More Educated 

The world is constantly changing and progressing with knowledge regarding nutrition and how important it is to properly fuel our bodies. One of the most important and beneficial ways in taking your health more seriously is to pay closer attention to the ingredients in the foods you are buying and consuming. Spend the extra minute to read through the list of ingredients on the back of a package before putting it into your cart. Look out for any artificial additives or synthetic chemicals. It is a small but extremely beneficial tip that your body will thank you for.

8) Incorporate More Movement  

It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, it just matters that you do it! You can go for a walk or run, sign up for a cycle class, tune into an online yoga or stretch sequence, pick up a sport… the opportunities are truly endless. Just move by doing something that you enjoy! It is proven that as little as 20 minutes of physical activity a day can improve a number of bodily functions including circulation, digestion, boosting your metabolism and strengthening your immune system. 

9) Learn to Cook New Meals

Cooking truly acts as a triple threat because you are learning to cook new meals, saving money while doing it, as well as adhering to a healthy lifestyle since you know exactly what ingredients are going into it. If that doesn’t convince you I’m not quite sure what will. Cooking has become significantly easier with the amount of online tutorials and at home meal prep kits. Cooking doesn’t have to be a dreadful chore- make it fun by starting easy and choosing recipes you enjoy!   

10) Create a More Minimalist Lifestyle 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter and excess things you have accumulated over the years? Take some time during 2022 to find be intentional in deciding which items in your life provide value and which you can easily detach from. By removing unnecessary tangible items you physically have less to worry about which creates a clearer mind and decreases your overall level of stress. One great way to initiate minimalism is to donate your gently used belongings that no longer provide purpose for you to a donation center such as Goodwill. Living with a minimalist approach in mind will create a more positive, satisfied approach to life bringing purpose and meaning to things other than only materialistic items.