9. Go to sleep at the same time every night
One reason many adults don’t get enough sleep is because they don’t have a consistent bedtime routine. Going to bed at roughly the same time every night—and waking up at a consistent time in the morning—will keep your circadian rhythm on track, helping you fall asleep and wake up more easily.
But bumping up your bedtime from 1 A.M. to 9 P.M. is a huge—and arguably, unrealistic—feat that may lead to frustration and difficulty falling asleep at night. Start small by adjusting your bedtime by half an hour each night and give yourself several days or more to adjust to your new schedule before moving it earlier.
10. Do a single pull-up (or increase your reps)
For those who love hitting the weight room, shooting for a new personal record is one way to push yourself. Performing a pull-up—or increasing the number you can do in a set—is a great challenge to conquer in the new year. (You could also sub any other specific exercise as the goal if you prefer.)
How long it will take to accomplish your first pull-up will depend on your current level of strength. To prepare, you’ll want to spend time developing your back, shoulder, and core strength with exercises like lat pull-downs and rows. Most gyms have an assisted pull-up machine you can use to build up the specific strength for the real deal, but you can also use a large resistance band like the well-reviewed WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Bands to support some of your body weight while working on the coordination of the movement.
Bring it to the gym with you, or invest in your own pull-up bar for use at home. The
Iron Gym Pull-Up Bar cantilevers from the molding above a door frame, requiring no tools or holes in the woodwork to install.
