Every New Year brings with it new hopes and scope for new opportunities. While we reflect on the past sometimes and wish that things could have been better, there is always scope for making things right in the present and future.

Life gives us more than one chance in this regard. A new year is one such opportunity for us to make things better and in the process improve ourselves as a person.

The idea of New Year resolutions might be clichéd, but there is a reason that its importance has survived all this time. The resolutions that we set for ourselves are like the guiding lights that brighten our way in our drive to make life better for us.

Over the past few years, research on children behaviour has pointed out areas all children can and should improve upon. While the importance of the resolutions may vary from person to person, they nevertheless are applicable in everyone’s case.

So without further ado, here are the different aspects of our lives regarding which we can all make New Year’s resolutions.

Live a healthy life

This can all start with something as simple as drinking more glasses of water per day. You can also start exercising or playing sports. Instead of fast food or junk food that tastes good, focus more on eating fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that can be eaten raw.

Your body and its functions are precious. They support you in living a better life. So taking care of them by proper diet and physical activity should be of prime importance to you.

An aspect often ignored is our mental health. If you feel tensed or stressed out, find ways and time to relax yourself. Instead of stressing out over things, focus on finding ways to counter the things that are making you tense.

Balance studies and play

Remember the last time you felt bad due to your lack of preparation for the exam? Leaving all the learning for the last minute is not good. Prepare a daily schedule or timetable to allocate a fixed time for studies and play for each day.

Follow the time table to make sure that you get most out of each day and, in the process, make the most out of your life.

The most obvious stumbling block in your path to find a balance between studies and play is the impulse to do otherwise. Avoiding the impulses requires self-control and discipline — things every successful person needs to develop. If you stay consistently on your schedule for a week or two, then everything becomes a routine for you automatically.

There might also be things around you that distract you from following your schedule and maintaining a disciplined approach to life. Remove or avoid them so that things become easier for you.

Land a helping hand

Help your parents in household chores. Also help your other family members. Engaging in social and community work also pays. Participate in events organised by your school that are directed towards social and environmental issues. Remember that the great thing about being part of a community is that, just like a family, we can support and help each other when one of us is having a hard time.

There are many other positive things that you can do in your social life. For example, you can get to know a person in school who has no friends, and in process help him/her if possible. You might also assist your friends and siblings with studies or in other matters where they need a helping hand.

Deal with your problems

This new year, resolve to never hold back from sharing your problems, whether big or small, with your parents, family or trusted acquaintances. The longer you avoid sharing your problems, the more the problem will consume you.

Most of the times, a problem is not as big as it seems to be. If we analyse it and get to the bottom of it, rather than scratching on the surface, then it becomes easier to solve.

Your mental approach towards things in life also creates problems. Procrastinating, running away from things, leaving things in the middle, or just having a wrong belief about anything simply creates mountains in our minds that do not exist in reality.

A methodical approach is needed to solve problems just like any other important thing in your life.

Plan for the future

Do a little soul-searching and plan what you want in life. It is not fruitful to just wish for things. You have to actually put in efforts to get what you want. If what you want is right for you, then collect the necessary information and go all out for it.

Nothing is impossible, put in your best effort with this belief in mind. Just make sure beforehand that what you want and the way you get it is right for you and your family.

Limit internet and screen usage

Perhaps this is one resolution that applies to nearly all of us. It is vital for us to cut down on internet and cell phone use and engage in more healthy activities. Instead of playing games on electronic devices and cell phones, focus more on games that involve physical activities.

Take extra care in sharing private information of yourself and your family on internet. Avoid interacting with strangers on social networking sites and apps, even if they seem reliable and friendly.

In nutshell, it’s never too late or too early to start making positive changes in your life. Making resolutions and following them is a great way to changing our lives for the better.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 29th, 2018