Each year, many people follow the tradition of crafting a list of goals, accomplishments, and habits that they hope to create or break in the new year. However, these new routines typically only stay a priority for weeks until they pile up dust and individuals fall back into their old habits. While individuals often believe in the “New Year, New Me” mindset, falling out of habits is normal and bound to occur.
But, recognizing that restarting a routine at any time is just as beneficial as in the beginning of the year is key to having the most successful year yet. Below are some common goals of the average American to begin a new year’s resolution list and some recommendations on how to keep them!
Around 80% of the student population is involved in a sport at Hingham High School, so when the off-season rolls around, it feels important to prioritize relaxing rather than maintaining exercise. However, although it is good to heal your body after the vigorous season, going on walks, occasional runs, lifting weights, yoga/pilates, or any other type of physical activity is beneficial for maintaining good health. This also rings true for those not involved in a sport. Exercise has countless benefits for your body and has proven to allow longer lives, so to have a successful new year, commit to exercising regularly.
For students at Hingham High School, hours upon hours of homework often lead to a loss of sleep. The nagging need to complete assignments to the best of one’s ability and on time is prioritized in modern-day society over a rested body. Although grades are crucial to many kids, prioritizing health for not only activities and sports but also avoiding sickness should be crucial. Zoe Palmer, a junior in Hingham, said, when asked about her sleep schedule, “During the week, I always go to bed late because of homework, but I do the same on weekends too. I watch TV shows and am on my phone before bed, and in the new year I want to try to cut that down.” Entering the new year, it is essential to prioritize 8 hours or more of sleep each night, regardless of age, homework situation, or day of the week.
The average screen time for a teen in America is between 7-9 hours daily, encompassing all TV shows/movies, social media, video games, online schoolwork, as well as other miscellaneous activities on screens. While screens have become an integral part of daily life in this day and age, discovering new hobbies this year to take time away from devices should be a priority. Sophomore Ava Halsing described, “Screen time is a good New Year’s resolution because having high amounts of screentime can limit in-person interactions and can also distract people from being productive.”
Instead, involving reading, exercising, cooking/baking, hanging out with family and friends, gardening, sewing, and countless other activities would be crucial for staying off screens. Although these are just a few ideas, there are plenty more to add, so beginning a list now and adding throughout the days will allow everyone to have the best New Year’s yet!
