It's that time of the year again--making resolutions that only 8% of us will commit to. The thing is, we all set the bar too high, which is a recipe for falling off the wagon by the time February rolls around. Here are six easy resolutions that doesn't require drastic lifestyle changes. Pick one that appeals to you!

 

Easy New Year's Resolutions

1. Drink more water. Believe it or not, a lot of us are in a state of dehydration most of the time. Our body is made up of approximately 70 percent water, meaning that if we want to keep our bodies functioning effectively and efficiently, we cannot deplete it of this important nutrient! Ideally, you should drink half your weight in ounces (e.g., if you weight 150lb, you should drink 75 oz of water per day, or about nine 8-oz glasses of water), and more if you exercise. You can try starting your day with a glass of water, set your phone to remind you to drink half a cup of water every half hour, or keep a water bottle close with you at all times.

2. Hit the sack before 11pm. I know, I know, in this digital age who goes to bed at 11pm?! (Sheepishly raise my hand.) Some of us don't even get home from work until 8 or 9pm! Starting at 10pm, your body begins its regenerative and repairing processes, which goes on until about 2am. Thus, even if you are clocking in at least 8 hours of sleep each day, you might still wake up groggy if you are going to bed past midnight. Try going to bed 10-15 minutes earlier each week until you hit the 11pm goal (better yet, 10pm goal!). Switch off electronic devices 15-20 minutes before bedtime, and relax with a book or meditate instead.

3. Eat more greens. While most people center their meals around a source of carb (rice, pasta, bread, etc) or protein (meat, fish, beans, etc), I like to center my meals around vegetables then bulk the dish up with some protein, carbs, and fats, which makes my plates at least 50-60% greens. If you're a smoothie person, one of the easiest ways to sneak in some greens is to incorporate them into your smoothies. Make your fruit smoothies as usual, but throw in a couple large handfuls of baby spinach of baby kale. I promise you can barely taste the greens!

4. Less caffeine. Okay, this might not be as easy, but I think we can all be a little less caffeine-driven. You might have recently read studies on the benefits of coffee, but like everything else, too much of anything can become poisonous. I recently saw a sign while browsing at Urban Outfitters that says "Instant Human, just add coffee." While it is hilarious, it is also sadly true that a lot of us rely on caffeine to lift us from the zombie state. Caffeine gives you "false energy," and an excess of it can not only deplete your natural energy stores but also dehydrate you. Cut down to one cup per day, or try green tea every other day.

5. Get more sun. Have you noticed that the weather affects your mood? Bright, sunny days tend to lighten up your mood, while gloomy, overcast days makes you feel "under the weather." It is estimated that most people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors, but ultraviolet rays are essential in synthesizing Vitamin D, which is responsible for maintaining bone health. Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods, so don't be afraid to soak up the sun! Ten to fifteen minutes (without sun screen) between the hours or 10am-2pm will do the trick.

6. Laugh more, smile often. The next time you feel down in the dumps, try plastering a fake smile on your face. It might feel awkward for the first few minutes, but you'll gradually feel your mood lighten up. The act of smiling helps release tension on your face (therefore, less wrinkles!) and triggers psychological changes in the brain. Laughter Yoga is also another amazing way to turn a bad day around. Seems like "fake it till you make it" is true after all.