New Year, Better You!

By. Meredith Biesinger

New Year’s resolutions tend to fizzle out quickly, and with a hectic teaching schedule, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals. I’ve never liked the phrase “New year, new you,” because YOU are already amazing. However, there’s always room for improvement, right?

Instead of resolutions, what about small and simple changes to improve your quality of life?

If you’re looking to improve your health, start with getting some extra sleep. Or, at least improve the quality of the sleep you are getting!

Is it time for a new mattress? Or, do you need to put your phone away and turn off Netflix? If you have a hard time relaxing, consider some yoga stretches before bed. Another helpful sleep aide is Apollo Neuro, a scientifically sound, wearable touch therapy that you wear on your ankle or wrist. Apollo’s silent, soothing vibrations speak to your nervous system and help you transition from work to play to sleep.

Are you interested in healthier eating? Introduce a few more fruits and vegetables each week, and drink more water. If you love the idea of meal prepping but can’t find the time to do so, consider healthy meal delivery options such as Fresh Direct or Hello Fresh, to help you stay on track.

Maybe, you’d like to learn a new hobby or start reading more. Start small, buy a book that’s of interest to you, or check one out at your local library, and begin by reading a few pages a day.

If financial planning is on your list, consider Mint, an app that will help you with your monthly budget. Or, Acorns, an app that will help you effortlessly save money. You can also look for ways to save on items for your classroom, home, and your life, at Educator Marketplace and use discount purchasing apps such as Groupon.

There’s a saying that I think best applies to New Year’s resolutions: “Little by little, a little becomes a lot.”

Make small changes, and see significant results! Improving yourself improves your overall well-being, and it will also positively impact your classroom. Happy 2022!