5 Mindful New Year Resolution Ideas To Brake For A Break, Guilt-Free

Have you ever thought about how a little pause can have a significant impact on your lifestyle? We tend to drown ourselves in work and chores, forgetting the importance of taking a break until we are about to burn out. If you have been in the same situation, it is time to apply that brake and take a break. Include some ideas for mindfulness in your new year fitness resolutions.

People make resolutions on fitness and nutrition, but they often put their mental health on the back burner. And those who make mental health resolutions don’t know how to stick to them. Kaustav Oberoi, a mental health expert, is here to help you mentally push yourself to fulfill your health resolutions.

Aditya Birla Health Insurance presents to you #LetTheMindGamesBegin. This is a 14-day health program on our Activ Living Community, where you will learn how to hack your brain so you can stick to your New Year health resolutions. Avoid giving up on this year’s resolution using expert advice in fitness, nutrition and mindfulness.

What you should know?

• 5 ideas for mindfulness that help you unwind
• Breathing exercises for relaxation

5 ideas for mindfulness that help you unwind

If, by the year’s end, you are still finding the best time to read books, pursue a hobby or simply disconnect with cluttered thoughts, the right amount of relaxation has been missing from your schedule. In 2023, try to include these five ideas for mindfulness in your daily routine so that you can stay calm, feel in control, and be alert and active about things happening around you:

• Unplug from technology:

  However busy you may feel to pause, it is essential to take out at least one ‘phone-free hour’ for yourself in the day. Such daily tech breaks are vital to be present for important people and tasks in life. It also gives your body time to recharge naturally, resting your eyes and mind.

• Practise gratitude:

  The hustle-bustle of life often buries you deep in work. Amidst this fast-paced, take a few minutes to practise gratitude by writing down something you’re thankful for in a day. It sparks positivity in mind and attitude and helps cultivate a sense of appreciation.

• Block some time to do nothing:

  From a long stroll in the garden to sitting in the park, doing nothing can be a great way to relax. It is one of those rare tips for mindfulness that can help you observe your surroundings and reconnect with nature. Focus on the smells and sounds around you, or try paying attention to the texture and tastes of the foods you eat. Nature is also the best surrounding to pay attention to your senses.

• Ground yourself in the moment:

  One of the best tips for mindfulness is to use your senses to ground yourself in the present moment. It can range from taking deep breaths, acknowledging the textures of food with mindful eating or any other simple acts that fully engage your senses.

• Take up mindful activities:

  Take a break from mindlessly scrolling through social media. This is the best time to read books, enjoy painting and art, practise yoga, do some gardening and cooking, or engage in any activity that has a calming effect. These activities help you unwind and increase your awareness and focus in daily life. Take a mini vacation to rejuvenate yourself. Plan your leaves regularly and utilize them to the fullest. Also, get adequate sleep to refuel and energize yourself.

Breathing Exercises For Relaxation

Practising breathing exercises should be an important must-have on your new year fitness resolutions list. It is vital for a healthy lifestyle and positively impacts physical and mental health. Two breathing exercises you can practise are:

Wim Hof Breathing:

Devised by Dutch athlete Wim Hof, he believed that you could achieve commendable feats by controlling your body and breathing. The method follows three rounds of a simple breathing pattern:

• First, take a deep breath through your nose.
• Then, exhale comfortably via your mouth.
• Repeat it for 30 breaths.
• Exhale to 90% on the thirtieth breath, then hold for as long as possible.
• When you feel like your body needs to breathe, take a deep breath and hold it for 15 seconds before letting it out.

Regularly practising this breathing technique can help control stress levels, increase energy and improve sleep.

4-7-8 Breathing:

This breathing technique in your health resolutions can relax your body, especially when overworked or tensed. You can start sitting comfortably in a relaxed position and follow the steps below:

• Let your lips separate first. With a whooshing motion, thoroughly exhale from your mouth.
• Close your lips and softly breathe through your nose while you mentally count to four.
• Then, hold your breath for seven seconds.
• Repeat the previous whooshing exhalation for eight seconds.

Pausing a fast-paced life is not a break but a necessity to maintain good mental health. So, as a part of your 2023 new year fitness resolutions, hit the pause button more often to be mindful and grateful. Join our Activ Living Community to get information on similar nutrition and lifestyle topics.

For more mind hacks, check out the #LetTheMindGamesBegin section here.