With the holidays just around the corner, it is hard to believe 2021 is coming to a close. A new year on the horizon means new opportunities to turn your life around with healthy habits. Forming these habits can benefit both yourself and your loved ones! 

We all know keeping resolutions can be challenging to figure out and may deter you from making them at all. That's why we've put together a list of three healthy resolutions to kickstart a great new year. We even offer tips on how to keep your resolutions! Keep reading to learn more. 

1. Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Everyone at this point is probably aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes. Doctors everywhere warn that smoking causes life-threatening diseases in all of your major organs and is the culprit for 90% of all lung cancer deaths. 

Despite its downsides, thousands of people still smoke due to the addictive chemical, nicotine, found in tobacco products. Nicotine triggers the release of pleasure chemicals in your brain, which is why it's so easy to get hooked on it fast.

Committing to a resolution of kicking this bad habit can be an incredibly daunting task for long-time smokers, but ultimately will be the best decision you can make for your future health.  Luckily, there are a lot of tools that can help you stay on the right track towards a cigarette-free lifestyle and keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. 

You can always go the route of nicotine patches that should curb cravings, or there are many gums on the market to help curb cravings. We've also found that the new Niin Nicotine pouches can scratch the nicotine itch while remaining completely tobacco-free. 

2. Learn a New Skill

We need to dispel the myth that learning new things is just for kids in school. It is possible to learn something new at any age!

Don't worry; you don't have to spend thousands of dollars and loads of time paying for a class at a local college. Apps and sites like Duolingo, Masterclass, and Skillshare have made it possible to learn a new skill at home for just a few minutes a day. And in some cases, these classes are entirely free. Plus, you can even turn on notifications during your busy day to help you stay on track. 

3. Start a Meditation Routine

 The health benefits of adding meditation into your routine are outstanding. It can help soothe anxiety and stress, help with your sleep, and even manage certain health conditions. 

The great thing about meditation is the sheer variety of options. There's no one correct method, which makes the practice adaptable to anyone of any lifestyle. Experimenting with meditation techniques is a fun process and can help you find what really sticks. A few examples of these are:

• Guided meditation

• Transcendental Meditation

• Mantra meditation

• Tai Chi

Meditation is not one size fits all, so it's essential to find a sustainable practice that is right for you. This can mean committing to five minutes a day at home, or attending a weekly group session. Either way, committing to starting a meditation practice is an incredible way to start the new year. 

Start Your New Year Right

Sometimes, it's easy to steer clear of New Year's resolutions in fear of not being able to follow through with them. However, the new year is a great time to commit to healthy habits you've been thinking about doing for years. By easing into it step by step and using helpful tools, you can make 2022 your best year yet!