On a mission to course-correct stagnancy in 2025? Start small.
With the momentum of making it to (or through) Christmas winding down behind us, thoughts turn to a new year.
For some, a fresh page on the calendar is a welcome sight – a chance to build upon prior progress
If that’s you, you’re not alone. Even lifestyle experts can find themselves in a rut. In search of simple, actionable ways to boost morale as we prepare to do it all again we asked five wellness specialists what they do to shake off malaise, whenever it starts to set in.
Throw out ‘New Year new me’ thinking, make micro-changes instead
The New Year period is often a time when we throw ourselves into an all-or-nothing approach to health and wellness. But the data tells us this simply doesn’t work. What does? Making small, actionable shifts to your usual lifestyle that lead to systematic change.
For example, instead of thinking, ‘I’m going to exercise seven days a week’, book two workouts into your diary every week for four weeks. Stick to those, then add another for the next block. Or instead of: ‘The diet starts tomorrow’ mentality, try tweaking your workday breakfasts to include more protein and less processed carbohydrates for four weeks. After that, try making 4x work lunches for the week ahead on Sundays.
Small steps add up to a big, lasting impact. Good luck!
According to Sam Bluemel, Mode founder and personal trainer
Four steps to help you climb out of a sex rut
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Advertise with NZME.1. Acknowledge what’s happening
Even if it feels scary, do it. Acknowledging what you’re moving through can help immediately shift feelings of shame and aloneness.
2. Love and acceptance
Try to meet this part of yourself with love and acceptance. Even if you’re not thrilled to be here, it’s okay that you are.
3. Communication
What conversations do you need to start having? If you’re in a relationship, communicate openly and honestly with your lover about where you’re at. If you’re flying solo, grab your journal, write down what you’re feeling, or reach out to a friend.
4. Baby steps
What’s one action you could take this week towards your desired outcome that would make you proud?
Provided by Melissa Vranjes, certified holistic sex coach.
Try an exercise to reframe what’s keeping you ‘stuck’
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Advertise with NZME.Take a piece of paper; on the left, write down in detail anything you dislike or feel stuck in life. For example, an unhappy relationship because he’s had an affair for 10 years and you’ve only just found out about it, or you hate your job.
Then, on the right, write down all your excuses for not changing anything. Excuses like, ‘Oh, but we’ve been together for 20 years, and he’s so kind’ or, ‘I won’t find a job with the same benefits.’
Clarity – all those excuses are in the way of you moving forward. Turn each topic on the left to an I DESERVE sentence and see where that leads you.
According to Alison Fisher, change coach.
Discern your eating and drinking patterns
This year, step away from diet rules and focus on why you eat and drink when you do.
Do you eat when you’re bored, stressed, or lonely? Do you reach for alcohol out of habit when you get home from work, or to feel connected with others in social settings? Make it your mission this year to eat when you’re genuinely hungry and to stop once you’re full. Start noticing the patterns behind non-hungry eating and habitual drinking. Awareness is the first step towards change
According to Claire Turnbull, nutritionist and founder of Mission Nutrition.
Focus on sleep
Set an alarm to get ready for bed, get off all your devices and chuck on the eye mask, earplugs, sleep tape or whatever you need to get in a good eight to nine hours.
With enough sleep, energy is high and the world feels like your oyster. You’ll have the motivation to get ahead and make the rest of the changes needed to get the most out of life.
According to Toss Grumley, growth business adviser.
More on wellness
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