Closeout of the current year often encourages people to wrap up initiatives, clean out the old to make ready for the start of anew, setting the tone for the upcoming year.
On this first day of a new year people typically spend time reflecting on last year’s achievements and failures, happy and sad occurrences, and looking ahead to the promise of a fresh start. Many of us review our lives from a somewhat serious perspective, especially as we get older. We reflect, regroup and plan new courses of action to improve our lives for the upcoming year. Recent studies indicate that on average, each American makes 1.8 New Year’s resolutions and the top two choices were reconfirmed as losing weight and exercising more.
The new year feels like a new beginning, which is why so many people use this same day each year to evaluate their lives, devise elaborate plans of action and resolve to make lifestyle changes for the better. Unfortunately, statistics show that less than 1 percent will stick to their goal and see it to fruition. So, what can you do to make it more likely that you will keep your next resolution? Taking on too much all at once can be daunting. Focusing yourself on one specific goal makes keeping a resolution much more achievable.
Yes, there are even New Year’s Eve food traditions. Different cultures consider certain foods to be fortuitous for the New Year, especially when eaten right as the clock strikes 12. In Chile, it’s lentils, while in Spain, it’s 12 white grapes. In case you needed any excuse to indulge in doughnuts and pretzels, several cultures believe ring-shaped foods represent coming full circle. And on New Year’s Day, the traditional Southern spread consists of black-eyed peas and collard greens or cabbage (symbols for wealth—coins and green folding money), ham or pork (for prosperity), and cornbread (for gold).
2020 has been a very challenging year and also a year of change. Seems like people have taken a pause from “what do I need or want” to “how can I learn more and learn to do it better?” But no matter what you do to acknowledge the New Year, JEVS Care at Home wishes you a year that is safe, happy, healthy and productive.
