Daily water intake should total about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women. While 20% of that comes from food, it’s up to you to drink the other 80%. So grab a glass, look out for signs of dehydration and consider downloading a hydration app or investing in a by-the-hour water bottle.

Reading as an adult is different than when you were a student. There are no book reports and no pop quizzes. You read what you want and you read on your own time. Read every day or twice a week. If monthly goals seem more manageable, try that. Ultimately, you choose: audiobooks, paperbacks or storied library hardcovers.

Something happens to your body and mind when you sleep well. Your mood and immune system get a boost and stresses subside. For healthy adults, seven to nine hours of shut-eye per night is recommended. The Sleep Foundation recommends all adults better their sleep hygiene by sticking to a routine, practicing relaxing nighttime rituals and disconnecting from electronics at least 30 minutes before bed.

So it’s been years since middle school and you still don’t make your bed daily? Time to put that old habit, well, to bed. Leave the excuses in the old year and fix your bedding and sheets every morning after you cash in on a good night’s rest.

Do your part to lessen the amount of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere by lowering your 2021 carbon footprint. Flicking off any unused lights, washing your clothes exclusively in cold water, driving and flying less and considering a more plant-based diet are all ways to improve your carbon footprint today.

In the United States, food waste accounts for between 30% and 40% of the food supply. By reducing waste at home, you help conserve energy, save money and support your local community. Start the new year by conducting a day- or week-long food waste audit. Track how much of your food ends up in the trash and why. Then look to implement food waste reducing tips in your day to day.

Grow your weeknight dinner rotation from five go-to meals to 50 in the new year. Cook with chicken, play with pasta dishes and impress with decadent desserts. Find the intersection of what you like to eat and what you enjoy cooking and set up shop. Bon appetit.

While expanding your culinary range with new recipes, look to incorporate healthier ingredients like heart-healthy foods and brain-boosting berries. To lose excess fat, try green tea, fiber-rich legumes, good proteins like tuna and other foods for weight loss.

No matter how certain or uncertain the times, it is important to allocate time for yourself. Take a walk around the block or just escape to a spare bedroom away from kids, roommates or family. Fill this alone time with whatever you enjoy. You can read, write, make a puzzle, paint or sit and enjoy the quiet.

This New Year’s resolution is bigger than just you and your wallet. Following nationwide protests against police brutality, Black-owned businesses witnessed a boost in revenue during summer 2020. However, supporting Black-owned businesses means more than a one-time purchase or donation. Search Black business directories for local or online shops and become a consistent buyer.

The first step toward building a better budget is to take stock of your earnings and expenses. Lay out any changes made to your income since the start of the pandemic and reflect on ways you may have already been spending your money differently. Look for areas where you can save, like on streaming services or on groceries. If you receive a steady paycheck, consider dumping some of each check into a savings account. 

2020 hasn’t been easy on anyone. In the new year, set out to express gratitude more often. If you find this resolution too abstract to put in motion, start by designating an empty notepad as your gratitude journal. Write daily or weekly what you feel most thankful for at the moment.

Yes, there are ways to foster an indoor garden right in your home even in the dead of winter. So long as you have one good sunny window, you can start growing and harvesting herbs, greens and other sprouts right on the windowsill.

So you don’t have a green thumb, no problem — there are dozens of other hobbies and skills you can explore. Ever try upcycling, juggling or playing chess? Go ahead and pick up that instrument you’ve always wanted to master, learn a new language or take up dance in the living room. Find out how you like spending time and lean into it.

Home organizing does not have to be the headache you would think. Start by sorting your mail immediately after receiving it, throwing away any stray instruction manuals or cords and decluttering that one closet. Then, pat yourself on the back and get to more organizing.

If when looking back on the past year, you feel too much of your time was spent looking at your phone, TV, tablet, laptop or desktop, you may want to start setting some limits. Multiple mobile devices are now equipped with tools or apps that limit screen time — all it takes is a simple settings change.

Journaling is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress. All it takes is you, paper and a pen. Put all the thoughts you muttered out loud to yourself or kept inside all day long to paper. That’s it. Don’t overthink, just write.

Volunteering is a sure-fire way to boost your sense of community and grant a welcome reprieve from pandemic-induced loneliness. Scout out local organizations, nonprofits and religious communities for possible socially distanced or virtual volunteer opportunities and get to giving back.

This is one New Year’s resolution to start right away. Maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships with people in your home and others in your circle can make for a much happier you. Learn how to talk out conflicts and assert your boundaries. If in the market for an outside perspective and some guidance, consider talking to a therapist too.

Counted among the most common New Year’s resolutions, exercising more takes drive and determination. Luckily, you already have all you need to get started: you. Using just your bodyweight, you can do a full-body workout at home. Pair increased exercise with healthier eating for a double dose of good for your body.

Looking to step away from social media for a while to clear your head? Start by limiting your time on select apps or cut all socials off cold turkey. You will find less time spent on socials makes for more mindfulness, less anxiety and more time to spend exploring other interests or hobbies.

Set out to treat your significant other better in the new year. Plan a super sweet socially distanced date night. With all the extra time you may have together during quarantine, confide in each other and find a compassionate way to air out conflicts.

Reaching out to health care providers for appointments may be a daunting task. But don’t let the initial rush of nerves keep you from caring for your body. Pick up the phone and schedule your appointments for the year. Given the state of the pandemic, virtual doctor visits are more common than ever, so you may not need to leave your home.

Vow to be kinder to yourself in the New Year. Quit beating yourself up and adopt a more compassionate attitude instead. Being kinder to yourself and accomplishing your goals are not mutually exclusive experiences. You can and should work to do both. 

Looking on the bright side can be beneficial for your mental and physical health. But optimism isn’t just about positivity. Optimism celebrates resilience and small victories. To start your journey toward a more optimistic outlook, learn these tips from an optimism doctor. 

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