15 Achievable Goals to be Healthier in 2022

Lose 20 pounds. Run a marathon. Become vegan. There are so many worthwhile New Year’s resolutions related to health, yet so many of us fail to achieve them.

This year, try a new approach: set wellness goals that are more realistic and easier to tackle. You can also break them down into manageable benchmarks throughout the year. Making a number of smaller changes can add up to big results by December.

Here are 15 more achievable goals to improve your health and well-being in 2022.

1. Focus on improving sleep. So many of us don’t get enough quality sleep, which can be a detriment to our immune system, mood, productivity, and performance. Check out these tips to improve your sleep.
2. Reduce screen time. It’s no secret that many of us spend too much time on our phones, tablets, and laptops. When we’re engrossed in our screens, we’re missing out on human connections and important things like exercise. Make a goal to put down your device more often and enjoy being active and present instead.
3. Discover new recipes. Eating well can be challenging, so spice it up a bit. Explore recipes you’ve never tried before that contain some exciting ingredients and flavor combinations. This way, you’ll keep it interesting and won’t feel like you’re just eating boring salads every day to stay healthy.
4. Strive for a healthy work-life balance. Depending on the demands of your job, it can be challenging to clock out and focus on your family and personal life—but it’s so beneficial to enjoy time outside of work. Here are some tips for finding a healthy work-life balance.
5. Meditate. Meditation has a number of health benefits but may seem a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Do your research and find one of the many apps or videos that can help walk you through a quick session.
6. Be grateful. It’s easy to focus on the negative things impacting us. Instead, take a few moments each day and make a mental list (or even say it out loud to someone) of what you’re grateful for—from friends and family to a fulfilling career to a new season of your favorite show.
7. Give yourself compliments. We’re all hard on ourselves—often focusing on our failures and flaws. You can combat this by being kind to yourself and acknowledging when you succeed (you can even just celebrate an inherently good quality you have).
8. Reduce stress. Easier said than done, right? But stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Take a look at these nine healthy ways to reduce stress.
9. Boost your activity level. This doesn’t mean you have to run five miles every day. Rather, try to be a bit more active and work it into your routine. For example, try taking the stairs more often or going for a short walk when you take a break during the workday (even some stretching will do the trick!).
10. Prep your meals ahead of time. Weekly meal prep can make it easier to stick to healthier foods. Try planning out your meals for the week every Sunday and cooking lunches for each weekday so that you’re less likely to reach for something unhealthy.
11. Listen to your body. Our bodies constantly talk to us and tell us what we need—though sometimes we don’t realize it. Learn more about listening to your body to help reduce stress.
12. Reduce alcohol consumption. Cutting back on alcohol will not only save you money but can help improve your immune system, sleep, skin, and mood.
13. Drink more water. Struggling to drink those eight glasses of water a day? Try upping your water intake by a little bit each week. Using a special water bottle with goal lines on it can be particularly helpful!
14. Keep up with doctor’s appointments. Make this the year that you stop putting off visits to the doctor, such as annual physicals and dental cleanings. It’s always better to be proactive about your health than wait for something to go wrong.
15. Pay attention to mental health. Keeping tabs on your mental health is just as important as going to your yearly physical. If you think you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.

As you begin to tackle some of these health goals, you can also reflect on past New Year’s resolutions and think about why you did (or did not) succeed. Knowing what can motivate or hinder you can help you be better prepared to meet your goals this year.