If there’s anything to be learned from 2020, it’s that family health is a top priority. This January, it’s time to set some year-long goals to keep the household happy and healthy. Here, we give you tips on how to make resolutions that will improve your family’s mental, physical and financial health. Don’t fret: These steps aren’t as difficult as you’d think.

Lessen the fast food snacking

There’s nothing wrong with snacking, but it’s a different matter when it’s continuously unhealthy food. Studies have shown that an unmoderated diet of fast food can cause dental distress, blood sugar and insulin spikes, and increase the likelihood of depression, heart diseases or strokes, among many other things.

You don’t have to be miserable while eating raw veggies, however. Make it fun by challenging yourself to cook up delicious, healthy snacks like baked sweet potato chips or frozen fruit smoothies. You can also still enjoy fast food, but don’t forget to keep it to a minimum.

Find time for “me time”

Between doom scrolling and living in a limited space with other people 24/7, finding time for yourself can be hard. But don’t forget: Time for yourself is not just a luxury, but a health necessity.

Stay on top of your mental health maintenance by carving out even just 30 minutes of your day to meditate or take up an individual activity purely for the fun of it. Science says that solitude can help raise your productivity as well as improve the attitude of children by setting examples for them of self-mindfulness.

Get a hobby you can stick to

Here’s a memoriam to all the abandoned side projects in 2020: the untouched dalgona coffee ingredients, the crocheting kit gathering dust, or the paint-by-numbers set that’s already dried out. This 2021, let yourself pursue small personal achievements and find a passion project you can truly commit to. Your hobby could even be exercising, which would hit two birds with one stone.

Aside from enjoyment, having a hobby has been proven to lower stress, help relieve low moods and depression, and improve your overall well being.

Set a savings goal

Now more than ever, everyone knows the importance of having emergency resources at hand. Making concrete goals to improve your financial health is a great way to align your 2021 visions and goals. 

There are many small lessons to be learned from trying to meet financial goals. This can teach you and your family to determine between needs versus wants, and you can also learn to equip your home with energy saving appliances and systems.

If you feel intimidated by your new year’s resolutions, you can think of them more as creating new habits instead of hard-set rules. By taking your year one day at a time with your family, you’ll be sure to develop healthy habits for life.