Kick-off the New Year with few resolutions that will have you greeting each day with a smile!
You did it! 2020 is on the way out, 2021 is on the way in. Up next: New Year’s resolutions! The time of year where typically gyms and the healthy food aisles at grocery stores are jam-packed with hefty ambitions of total reinvention. After a whirlwind of a year that was 2020, perhaps total reinvention doesn’t need to be the foundation for our goals. I’d like to suggest treating ourselves with compassion, and taking a moment to recognize the past year’s gifts, whether it was having more quality time with family and friends, starting a new hobby you’ve always been interested in, or taking better care of your health and wellbeing. Simply making it through this year, with its many changes, was an accomplishment enough to feel proud of! That being said, there is always room for personal growth, and we can still take this time to reflect on what our goals for 2021 can look like.
As you develop your list of resolutions, let’s identify some attainable ones, and set ourselves up for success. Studies show 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions eventually stall out, so this year we are going to make sure we are setting simple goals that we can actually achieve consistently throughout the year. These goals should not add stress to our lives, but rather help us to be the best versions of ourselves! Here are a few ideas on how you can improve your sleep, wellness, and attitude as we approach the New Year:
1. Go to sleep 20 minutes earlier each night
While it does not sound like much, 20 minutes each night can really add up over time! If you hold yourself to this, you will start noticing very quickly a difference in how you feel in the morning and how you greet each day. Along with squeezing in a few extra minutes of sleep, try to keep this new bedtime at the same time each night. What helps keep me motivated is the sooner I sleep, the sooner I can get back to my latest romance novel, which I listen to during my morning workouts! Sticking to a routine will help your body and internal clock adjust more naturally, and leave you feeling more awake and alert when that morning alarm starts ringing!
2. Set your phone down 30 minutes before bed
We have talked about it before and we will say it again, avoid all screens as much as possible before bed in order to have the best night’s sleep! The blue light from electronic screens has harsh implications on your REM cycle. If you are feeling even more ambitious, and you want to knock out two resolutions at once, you can add read more to the list and spend the 30 minute screen-free time before bed to catch up on the novels you have been putting off. You can also spend this time journaling, meditating, stretching, or whatever else will help improve your overall wellbeing.
3. Tell yourself 3 positive things each day that you are thankful for
I think we can all agree we need to approach 2021 with a fresh, positive attitude and put 2020 in our past! However, this year also taught us a lot about being grateful for what we have, and reminding us that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Work 5 minutes into your daily routine to reflect on what you are most thankful for, and what makes you feel happy and confident. This will help you to approach each day with a smile on your face and a mindset to take on the world.
4. Treat yourself to at least 1 new sleep product
After the year that was 2020, we all deserve to treat ourselves a little bit! When was the last time you bought yourself a new pillow? New sheets? How old is that comforter you have been sleeping on? Start the year fresh and rejuvenated with a fresh sleep environment! The SleepSmart Duvet Insert from Pottery Barn is just one idea for how you can sleep smarter in 2021. This duvet is not only temperature regulating, but also odor eliminating and uses materials that help to eliminate allergens in the fill. Sleep cool and fresh all through the night, and start noticing a difference in how you feel almost right away.
Thank you to my readers for making 2020 such a special year for me and all the support and growth of my sleep products and brands. Let’s approach 2021 with an energizing outlook, and take on the world through our sleep! Let’s all Sleep Tonight, so we can Create Tomorrow.
About Inventive Sleep by Tracy Miller
Tracy Miller is a trusted inventor and innovator of functional and comfortable products for the home, and founder of Inventive Sleep™. Her engaging brands of products are found in millions of homes and hotels across the country. As a Sleep Products Innovator, Tracy is dedicated to helping people realize their dreams and goals starting with a great night’s sleep. She is known for combining proven and modern technologies in your favorite products including sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets and mattress pads that create exciting new comfort and performance. Tracy is also the author of the weekly sleep blog Sleep Secrets and Inspirations. In it, she shares her expertise on materials research and design, and demystifies the sleep experience with an informative and fun-filled conversation on how sleep helps people with everyday living, as well as some of her tips and tricks on picking your favorite products. For more information, visit www.inventivesleep.com. Sleep Tonight. Create Tomorrow.™