10 positive things to do in January that don’t involve dieting

If you’d like to try something a little different, get inspired with this list of positive things to do in January that don’t involve dieting…

1. Virtual therapy

Many of us know the importance of nurturing our mental health. It can be so easy to push our feelings to the side – especially when things are feeling a bit chaotic. However, getting into the habit of brushing off our emotional responses and experiences can seriously impact our mental wellbeing in the long run. Studies suggest that regular talk therapy can massively benefit our mental wellbeing, so why not give yourself the gift of talking to someone? Lots of registered therapists are now offering online sessions so you can arrange them to fit your schedule.

2. Journaling

The practice of journaling is consistently mentioned as a healthful practice, with suggested benefits including helping to process thoughts, release stress and create mindfulness. Find a way to make journalling work for you that supports consistency rather than perfection. Personally, I find that simply making the commitment to write for five minutes, rather than 20, is more achievable, and often ends up with me writing for 20 minutes anyway.

3. A physical activity that you actually enjoy

There really is no way around the fact that regular movement is vital for both our physical and mental well-being, so you might as well find something that you enjoy. If you’re the type of person that considers themselves to be fitness averse, then focus on the little ways you can bring more activity into your day. Why not commit to walking to the supermarket instead of driving? Or challenge yourself to take the stairs instead of the escalator? Perhaps you can set a goal to walk when on work calls or do a few squats every time you’re waiting for the kettle to boil? The point is that it doesn’t have to be perfect, the goal is simply to move and build upon your habit from there.

4. Make a plant pledge

Instead of focusing on all the things you should give up, what about what to include? Colourful fruit and vegetables and other plant foods have vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibres and phytonutrients – with research showing that those who eat 30 plant foods a week improve their gut health, which has a knock on result for our physical and mental health too. Check out these halloumi-stuffed peppers a go, they're packed with plant foods and plenty of goodness.

5. Bath like a boss

Often referred to as the 'calming' mineral, magnesium plays a role in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, making it a super important nutrient. It has several benefits, from supporting mood and blood sugar balance, to aiding exercise performance and muscle recovery. While it can be obtained in the diet through foods such as nuts, seeds and green veggies, I like to give myself a boost during times of high stress or intense exercise, by indulging in a weekly bath using magnesium salts.

6. Snuggle with benefits

Snuggling under a blanket as a way to support sleep and ease anxiety? When I heard about weighted blankets, I was certainly intrigued, but it wasn’t until I read the science that I got really excited. Weighted blankets help to ground your body during sleep by pushing it downwards, while also stimulating a type of therapy called ‘deep pressure touch’, which has been used to ease pain, anxiety and support mood.

7. Hack an existing habit

Sensitive to dairy? Switch to oat milk in your coffee. Love a Friday night takeaway? Make your own healthier version, like this paneer curry. The point is, you don’t always need to do a complete overhaul to feel the difference. Instead, look for the small tweaks you can make to your everyday habits that will result in the greatest effect. The more painless it is to incorporate cinto your lifestyle, the more likely you are to adopt consistency.

8. Work on your sleep

Sleep is such an important pillar of our health. It's vital for both our minds and bodies to switch off completely in order to heal, repair, recharge and reenergise. Poor sleep will leave you feeling lethargic, low in mood, your immune system will be struggling and you may find you're unmotived to stick to your new healthy habits. So, make your sleep a mini project. Start by improving your sleep hygiene – this involves building a nightly routine that encourages your body to start winding down, making time for daylight and cutting back on caffeine and late-night snacks. There are also plenty of small diet changes you can make which may improve your sleep quality. You could even try breathing exerises before bed.

9. Cook more meals from scratch

Pre prepared and ready-meals are considered ultra processed foods, which are incredibly bad for our health as they contain high levels of salt, fat, sugar and additives. If you're someone who needs quick, effortless meals during the week, browse our best batch-cooking ideas. You can store them in your fridge or freezer, so you've always got nourishing meals like our Mexican-style chicken tinga to hand.

10. Make time for treats

When setting new healthy intentions, it's very unlikely that we'll be able to keep up with it 100 per cent of the time. In fact, if we allow ourselves dedication treat time once a week or month, we're more likely to stick to the habit. That means we'll be healthier in the long term. First, decide what treat means to you. It could be a comforting bowl of pasta, a chocolate dessert or a homemade cookie. If you'd rather avoid these little indulgences, use a relaxing facial or spa trip as your treat. Just give yourself time off thinking about your resolutions – you'll be surprised how it keeps you focused.

All health content on olivemagazine.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. Any healthy content featured by olive is provided as a suggestion of a general balanced diet and should not be relied upon to meet specific dietary requirements. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.