Every year, people await the first of January to start new habits. However, those who genuinely want to make a change don’t wait for a special occasion — they begin taking meaningful steps toward their goals each day.

Why not showcase your commitment to self-improvement by getting a jumpstart on your resolutions now? Here are seven healthy habits to work on before the new year.

1. Get on Point With Meal Prep

You know the drill. You intend to cook a healthy dinner, but work runs late and you’re exhausted. Inevitably, you hit the drive-thru.

Save money and protect your health by learning how to meal prep. Pre-chop healthy snacks — like veggies and fruit — so they’re easy to grab instead of chips. Whip up some freezer-ready meals that require nothing more than a day in the crockpot or a quick zap in the microwave for a nutritious dinner free of additives and excess sugar and salt.

2. Take Better Care of Your Complexion

Like it or not, your skin presents a portrait of your health. What does yours say? Step up your skincare game by applying your products in the proper order and customizing your morning and evening routines. For example, you might start the day by slathering on sunscreen and replacing that step with a hydrating oil at night.

3. Find Movement That You Love

Remaining sedentary increases your risk of death from all causes. Exercise benefits your mental and physical health, but only if you stick with the program.

Your solution is to find movement you love now, trying various programs to discover your jam. Better yet, bring a buddy to different gym offerings or hop on YouTube to find everything from Barre to HIIT for free.

4. Set Healthy Boundaries

“No” is one of the shortest words in the English language. It’s also among the most vital to your mental health.

Healthy boundaries help you preserve your energy for the things and people that most matter to you. While it can be tricky, start practicing to let your boss know you’re at capacity and declining those excessive holiday invitations now.

5. Prioritize Your Relationships

Saying no to activities that cause excess stress frees up time to spend with those you love. Doing so is a healthy habit for your body and mind.

For example, why not start taking an after-dinner walk with your clan? The movement will benefit your digestion and your little one might find it less intimidating to open up strolling by your side than facing stares at the dinner table.

6. Incorporate Daily Mindfulness

What is mindfulness? It entails awareness of the present moment and giving your wise mind time to respond instead of reacting impulsively.

One way to practice daily mindfulness is to write a list of affirmations that you can recite to ground yourself. For example:

• I have overcome tough times and am confident I can do so in the future.
• I am the ultimate master of my time and energy.

7. Establish Better Sleep Habits

Sleep is essential to good health. Your habits can help stave off insomnia, so take the following steps now:

• Adhere to a regular schedule.
• Ban electronics from the bedroom.
• Create an environment conducive to rest.

Improving Your Health Before the New Year

Why wait for January 1? It takes time to build new healthy habits, so getting started now will accelerate your progress. Consider these healthy habits to work on before the new year. A better you awaits in 2023.

Photo by Tim Mossholder.

Cora Gold has a passion for living a happy, healthy and mindful life. As Editor-in-Chief of Revivalist and an avid writer, she aims to inspire others to do the same. Follow Cora on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.