With the new year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to assess your goals for 2019. We know that most new years resolutions fade quickly within the first few months of the year. However, if you want to create real positive change in your life there are strategies to put in place to make your new habits stick.

Be sure you're being specific with your resolutions and not too general. Write them down and post them in eyesight around your home. Tell your friends and family so that they can help hold you accountable. Find a buddy to join you in accomplishing a few of your endeavors. Make sure that your new year's resolutions are attainable - we often shoot for the stars and get disappointed (and give up) when we can't even get close. Track the progress of your goals to stay motivated to continue on or improve your strategy.

Now that you have a few ways to manage your goals, we can help spark your inspiration in getting healthier and improving your life in 2019!

The Best New Years Resolution Ideas for 2019

Add one-hour to your sleep schedule.
Sleep is a vital part of overall health. Resolve to add just one more hour to your nightly sleep schedule by going to bed a little earlier every night. Start with adding just 5 minutes every night for the first two weeks, then 10 minutes the next two weeks. Keep increasing the time gradually until you reach an additional full hour each night.

Get 6 days of low-impact movement in every week.
Outside of your regular workout, make a new goal to move more each day. Think about taking a 30-minute walk to the store rather than driving. Ride your bike to the office 1-2 times per week. Take a short 10-minute walk after dinner each night. Instead of meeting a friend for lunch, meet them for a hike or a walk around the park. Aim to tack on 30 more minutes of movement 6 days out of the week.

Declutter your home.
Minimalism is the next big thing, and it's causing people to learn how to place value in what really matters (not the stuff that they own). Take action in decluttering your closet, your home, and your life from all the stuff you don't really need. Try beginning with letting go of just one item, then continue on from there. This is a great game created by The Minimalists to get you started.

Pay off one credit card.
We all have debt. Make a plan to pay it down in order to live a more financially stable life, and begin by paying off just one credit card this year. The Total Money Makeover is a great resource for taking the first step and setting up an action plan, as is The Spenders Guide to Debt-Free Living. Once you have one card paid off, you can snowball those payments to the next card, and then the next.

Do one thing each month to give back.
Choose different ways to contribute to your community, even if it's just attending one event every month. Whether helping to unload trucks for a donation drive, handing out water at stations during a local 5k or half marathon, donating blood, cleaning up trash around the neighborhood, or volunteering at a senior center or homeless shelter, your small efforts once a month will make a big difference in your community. This is also a great way to change your perspective and see life through another lens all throughout the year.

Start a daily mindfulness calendar.
This year, vow to devote at least 5 minutes every day to your own mindfulness. Using a wall calendar, mark an X on each day that you made it a point to be more mindful. You could go for a short walk, download an app and do a quick meditation, enjoy a quiet cup of tea without your phone or any other distraction, or even just sit and take some deep breaths.

Cook two more meals at home every week.
When you eat meals at home, you have more control over the quality of the ingredients, as well as how much salt and sugar is going into your food. If you find yourself eating out at restaurants frequently, swap one night out to instead have people over for a potluck style dinner. Usually eat breakfast or lunch on the go? Pack up leftovers from dinner to grab and go the next morning so you don't even have to think of it. A little planning ahead will help you control your portion sizes and resist the temptation of eating food that's fast and not as healthy.

Swap your second drink for water with True Citrus.
Daily hydration is not only a great way to lose weight, but also help your body function at its best. Instead of having a second cup of coffee, a second cocktail or glass of wine, or pouring another glass of juice, substitute water with True Citrus in place of that second helping. It will help you easily raise your daily intake of water without a lot of extra thought or effort!

Take a unique approach to weight loss.
Instead of attempting another fad diet, or attacking your weight loss goals with such strict force in the new year that you lose all motivation by February, take the slow and steady approach. Begin by making small changes each week, and apply some tricks that so-called naturally healthy people live by. Healthy habits for long-term weight loss don't change overnight, they take time to build. This year vow to take the slower route to keep that extra weight off for good.

The coming of the new year is a fantastic opportunity to take a step back and reassess your goals and where you are in your life. These new year's resolutions are a great place to start! Use this time wisely, do a little planning ahead, and by next year you'll be surprised at how far you've come.

Have a very happy and healthy new year!