New Year's resolutions; love them, hate them, try for a month and give up, or commit for the full year, making promises to yourself when the leaves of the New Year turn over has been a well-established practice for years. Even though people make these promises year-on-year, it can be hard to know where to start if you've never kept resolutions before or if you're tremendously efficient, have managed to keep all your resolutions. (go you, you're a tank!) Here at Beat we put together a list of things you can do to enjoy your 2020 and your life in general.
Start Something
It could be picking up that dusty guitar you got two Christmases ago and learning to play it, or maybe you want to unleash your inner Andy Warhol to the world with a paint set. From starting to learn a new skill to even starting a business- whatever it is, try something new this New Year. There are facilities across the south-east that can help you with whatever endeavour you want to pursue for 2020 so go out and explore the world of possibilities that await you!
Play More
It has been proven by science that play is important no matter what age you are. It stimulates the mind, creates dopamine (a happy hormone) which has a whole bunch of health benefits. Playing can be anything from participating in sport, going out with friends, playing board games or just acting the maggot with your family. The south-east offers many opportunities to have fun to people who live and visit the region. Why not try taking to the waves in Dunmore East Adventure Centre in Co. Waterford, try some tree-top adventuring in Castlecomer Discovery Park in Kilkenny or even check out Loftus Hall in Co. Wexford for a fun and historic day out for the whole family.
Try eating healthier
The New Year always comes with floods of diet-tips and meal plan ideas, and let's face it, it can be not only a pain but a bit belittling. Rather than just reducing yourself to the fad diets, why not try some healthy dishes without sacrificing the flavour? Healthy eating not only is better for you but is often more affordable. It also can have a positive environmental impact if you want to try out vegetarianism or veganism. If going entirely off meat isn't for you, think about trying a "reductitarian" lifestyle, not eating meat if alternatives like Quorn etc. are available. Start small and go from there. Here are some of Jamie Olivier's top healthy meals!
Get moving
Going out and getting active has tons and tons of benefits, both physically and mentally. You might decide to join a gym, but it shouldn't have to break the bank either. Go running in your local area, join a sports club, visit your local pool/sea/body of water if it is safe to do so! Even if you decide to walk or cycle instead of taking the bus or driving, it is just as good for you as it is for the environment.
Enjoy the little things
Noticing how lovely the sunshine is, spending times with friends and relatives or maybe you're just feeling really proud of your county (which let's face it, isn't difficult, the region is absolutely lovely!), take the time out of your day to focus on the little things in life that make you smile. It can be anything at all from following a page of puppies on Instagram to listening to your favourite presenters podcasts on Beat. You can even make an active effort to improve your appreciation for the little things with positivity lists, journaling, scrapbooking or phone reminders.
Be more conscientious
There is more than just you living on the planet, think about how you can make a difference. The environment is a big one at the moment so it could be something as simple as going plastic free by buying a glass water bottle, bringing reusable bags to the supermarket or starting to efficiently recycle. There are opportunities for volunteering all across the South East so why not go and help out at your local animal shelter, soup kitchen, youth club or sports team? It helps others and it makes you feel good.
Travel
Go see more of the world you love. It is the time of the flight sales where you can bag bargain holidays to Europe or further afield. Even if you want to return home to your bed after a bit of travel, There are so many incredible attractions to see in the South East, including the Copper Coast of Co. Waterford, Hook Head in Co. Wexford, Kilkenny's Medieval Mile, Carlow Castle or the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary-the world is your oyster and it starts on your own doorstep.
Listen to Beat
Start off the New Year with the newest tunes brought straight to your airwaves by our IMRO-Award-Winning team here at Beat 102-103. Whether you want showbiz gossip, Daily Dilemmas, your news update or if you're just here for the hottest hits right now, we've got you covered. Here's to another year of brilliance at Beat.
Love,
The Beat News Team x
