How to Be the Best Version of Yourself This Year

Life is a continuous chain of self-improvement. Striving to get better each day keeps you motivated, alive and vibrant. 

Have you identified some areas of your life that could use a boost? It’s up to you to take the reins. Here are ten ways to be the best version of yourself this year. 

1. Smile 

Have you been postponing your annual dentist visit for years? If so, prioritize making and keeping your appointment if you want to decrease your overall health risks. The bacteria that causes gingivitis may also contribute to your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

Once you undergo a thorough checkup and cleaning to remove plaque, maintain your beautiful fresh smile. Invest in an electric toothbrush, which is more effective at scrubbing than a manual model. You should also floss daily. If the string is too tough on your fingers or gums, investigate water flossers, which also remove gum line plaque.  

2. Groove 

Caring for your teeth can decrease your Alzheimer’s risk — and so can cutting a rug. Researchers investigated several different activities, and dancing topped them all, probably because of the combination of physical movement with mental engagement. 

Dancing qualifies as cardiovascular exercise. Plus, it’s free. While you can sign up for lessons if you have two left feet, you can get the same health perks by putting on your favorite jams and boogying down in your living room. 

3. Move 

Physical activity is the ideal way to add more years to your life and increase your energy levels. It doesn’t matter if you prefer walking, cycling or swimming — any movement that gets your heart pumping will decrease your cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes risk. It will also help you control your weight and maintain a toned physique. There’s nothing wrong with looking your best. 

What if you are in an exercise rut? Try one of these ideas: 

• Parkour: What’s the fastest way from here to there? A straight line — but sometimes, you have to hop and climb your way over obstacles. 

• Pole dancing: Feeling seductive? Get a full-body workout while learning some hot new moves to ignite your SO’s passions. 

• Water volleyball: Check with your local parks and recreation department. More and more areas offer these leagues during the hot summer months. 

• Pound: If your steering wheel doubles as your drum kit, you’ll love this invigorating workout that has you air-drumming your way to beautiful biceps. 

4. Stretch 

Yoga might be an ancient practice, but it could have been designed for modern times. Today’s hectic pace of life requires effort to slow down and unwind. 

There’s a style that’s right for every taste. More athletic types might enjoy an invigorating ashtanga or vinyasa class, while those who want to melt into their mats will gravitate to yin. You can also find exciting new twists, like aerial yoga and yoga on a paddleboard. 

5. Create 

When was the last time you lost yourself in an arts or crafts project just for fun? Adopting such a hobby can benefit your mental health and help you cultivate mindfulness. 

If you are the handy sort, why not build a birdhouse or even a compost bin for your backyard gardening needs? If you prefer to swaddle yourself in softness, take up knitting and get started on that comfortable winter throw before the cold weather returns. 

6. Connect 

Your friendships are vital to your mental well-being. However, you might not have seen your pals in some time, given the pandemic. 

If you are fully vaccinated, and they are, too, why not plan a get-together? Better yet, load up the car and take off on a spontaneous weekend road trip — after all, you might have a year or more worth of gossip to catch up on. 

7. Explore 

Is your travel urge telling you it’s time for a new passport stamp? Europe will soon reopen for vaccinated U.S. tourists, so why not start planning your trip? 

If your budget is a bit tight after the past year, look into affordable alternatives. You might be able to exchange your labor for a stay at a hostel if you don’t need glamorous accommodations. Flights will fill up quickly, so make your reservations early. 

8. Learn 

Lifelong learning helps keep your mind young. It also provides new skills that make you an asset in the job market. 

With sites like Udemy, it’s more affordable to learn something new than ever. You can also find no shortage of language-learning apps if you decide to dust off that high school French. 

9. Do Good 

Volunteering helps others — but it also provides you with a health boost. Doing good prompts the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like oxytocin and dopamine, both of which improve your mood. 

You don’t have to go on a mission to have your work qualify. If you care about the planet, look for local environmental organizations that perform regular highway cleanups. Animal shelters can nearly always use volunteers to walk dogs and socialize kitties. 

10. Sleep 

You know you feel better when you are well-rested. Make this year the one you improve your sleep hygiene and enjoy improved shuteye. 

Start by getting your electronics out of the bedroom. If you are a shift worker who finds daytime light and noise distracting, invest in blackout curtains and a white noise machine to create an artificial cave. Then, make it cozy by investing in tons of pillows, heavenly sherpa blankets, and comfy pajamas — whatever you need to cue your brain that it’s time to relax. 

Be the Best Version of Yourself This Year With These 10 Tips

Self-improvement isn’t about the destination but the journey. Be the best version of yourself this year with these ten tips.

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