According to the U.S. News & World Report, around 80% fail to achieve their New Year resolutions and most lose their resolve by mid-February. “Where we go wrong with New Year’s resolutions,” says licensed clinical psychologist Terri Bly of Ellie Mental Health in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, “is there’s this idea that it’s supposed to be some big, sweeping change, because that sounds kind of sexy. But as humans we’re not wired to make big, sweeping changes,” adds Bly as quoted on verywellmind.com.
Making New Year resolutions is easy. Most resolutions are common: Reading more, working on trimming the waistline, sleeping better, or perhaps even eating healthier. We know achieving these new year resolutions is not as easy as setting them; if it was, then life would have been perfect. If you are someone who is all too familiar with failing at keeping up with resolutions, read on. Our resolution cheat sheet is for you.
New year resolution cheat sheet to achieve your reading goals
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Foster by Claire Keegan
Despite being only 88 pages long, Irish writer Claire Keegan’s beautiful novella, Foster, is sure to move you with its heartbreaking end. The short story follows the narrator, a young girl, in rural Ireland who grows into herself in the foster care of the Kinsellas family, as her mother gives birth to a new baby. The novella is wholesome and a master class in child narration. Buy here.
Bunny by Mona Awad
Mean Girls meets Jennifer’s Body and you have Mona Awad’s fearless, spellbinding and absurd novel ‘Bunny.’ Deep-diving into the female experience, Bunny parodies the culture of an elite institution, while elaborating on loneliness and belonging in such institutions. The novel pushes boundaries of surreal and grotesque extremes and the ending is sure to have you wondering, ‘what did I just read?’ Buy here.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Swedish writer Fredrik Backman’s life affirming novels have the innate ability to capture the human spirit at its best and ‘Anxious People’ is no exception. The novel is a poignant comedy that details a crime that never takes place, a would-have-been bank robber who disappears and eight anxious strangers who through the course of this experience realise how they are more alike than different. Buy here.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
Former child star from Nickelodeon Jeanette McCurdy’s memoir is equal parts humorous, disturbing and painful. Detailing her mother’s death, it perfectly captures her tumultuous relationship with her abusive mother, her experience in the entertainment industry and coming to terms with grief. Despite loss being central to the plot, the book offers comic relief, never getting too heavy for the reader. Buy here.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Nigerian fiction writer Awkaeke Emezi crafts unforgettable characters in ‘The Death of Vivek Oji.’ While the novel begins with death, at the heart of it is family and friendship that challenges expectations. The tender novel follows the story of Vivek Oji, a character who is both alive and dead, both man and woman. Straying from the traditional crime fiction trope, the novel is a transcendental tale of loss. Buy here.
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Craig Thompson’s autobiographical graphic novel is an eloquent portrayal of adolescence, of finding one’s creative voice, of first loves and heartaches. Through the graphic memoir, we learn of his childhood growing up in an Evangelical Christian family, his yearnings and the process of discovering your own self. Buy here.
Little Prince by Antoine De Saint Exupery
French writer Antoine De Saint Exupery’s novella ‘Little Prince’ might be a children’s book but it is an honest portrayal of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. If you seem to have started the year feeling confused and lost, this novella is a gentle reminder to look at life from a childlike wonder and reassess the true meaning of life. Buy here.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Gail Honeyman’s debut novel manages to weave a story that reaffirms one’s belief in the small kindness of strangers. Steeped in humour and love, the plot is centred around Eleanor Oliphant, a social misfit with a traumatic past who through the course of the novel discovers friendship, catharsis and belonging. Buy here.
New year resolution cheat sheet for better sleep
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Sleep Cycle
Besides tailored sleep cycles, this app provides gentle wake ups, relaxing sleep sounds and tracks snoring. Sleep Cycle also provides daily insights on what affects your sleep quality and how it improves over time to achieve your resolutions. Download here.
Somryst
It is a subscription-based app that provides 24×7 access to FDA-authorised therapy. It provides a neurobehavioral intervention (CBT-I) to patients 22 years of age and older with chronic insomnia. Somryst treats patients with chronic insomnia by improving a patient’s insomnia symptoms. Download here.
Headspace
Besides bedtime stories, music, sounds and exercises, this app also has a library of over 500 guided meditation programmes. Headspace aims to bring comfort to your bedtime routine through their vast collection of sleepcasts and soundscapes. Download here.
Pillow
You can connect your Apple watch, iPad or iPhone with this app to get a detailed look into your sleeping pattern and audio recording of the night along with heart rate analysis to get detailed analysis. Download here.
ShutEye
Considered to be one of the most comprehensive apps, ShutEye captures data on sleep duration, stages and disturbances throughout the night. It also claims to help you overcome your sleep problems within 14 days. Download here.
Harmony Hypnosis
This app is supposed to enhance your ability to relax, sleep well and focus, reduce anxiety and stress via hypnotic guided relaxation sessions with non-verbal sounds. Created by award-winning hypnotherapist Darren Marks, the aim is to help clients find their inner calm, strength, confidence and motivation. Download here.
New year resolution cheat sheet for fitness goals
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Nike Training Club for free fitness app
The Nike Training Club App redefines fitness, offering personalised workouts led by Nike Master Trainers for all levels. With flexible anytime, anywhere access, diverse programs, and community engagement, it’s the ultimate companion for a dynamic and transformative fitness journey. Download here.
FitOn for live classes
FitOn presents a diverse array of workouts, encompassing cardio, strength, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), dance, yoga, Pilates, Barre, and beyond. Celebrity-led sessions by Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, and Jonathan Van Ness add an extra flair to achieve your resolutions. Users can join real-time classes through the live feature or access on-demand workouts, tracking progress and heart rate in real-time via Apple Watch. Download here.
Gymshark Training for solo workout
Ideal for solo workout enthusiasts, this app prioritises individual training over social connectivity. While it lacks a social component, it boasts an extensive library of workouts and plans for users to select from. Additionally, users have the flexibility to craft personalised workout plans, tailoring details such as sets and reps. These customisable workouts can target specific muscle groups or exercise types, with the added convenience of integrating data into the Apple Health app for seamless progress tracking. Download here.
Adidas Training for personalised training plans
The Adidas Training App empowers users to work out on their terms, providing flexibility with anytime, anywhere access. Tailor your fitness routine with custom workouts designed to fit your schedule and achieve your goals through targeted training plans, making it a dynamic companion for personalised and effective workouts. Download here.
Freeletics for HIIT workouts and fitness coach
Freeletics provides users with a range of fitness and lifestyle support, featuring workouts spanning from 15 to 45 minutes. While the free version enables users to create their own workouts, subscription options unlock personalised AI coaching, tailored training plans, and individualised nutrition guidance. With over 300 workout videos, the app encompasses bodyweight exercises, cardio sessions, HIIT workouts with dumbbells and kettlebells, and stretching routines. Download here.
30 Day Fitness for daily challenges at home
Ideal for goal-oriented fitness enthusiasts, 30 Day Fitness provides customisable 30-day challenges tailored to users’ preferences, commitment levels, and activity preferences. The free version allows users to target specific body areas with pre-planned exercise sequences, while also accommodating goals like weight loss or strength building. Download here.
Burn.Fit and HealthifyMe for data tracking
Burn.Fit empowers users to monitor essential data, including time, weight, and goals, facilitating comparisons to measure progress. Serving as a digital workout journal, the app supports users in logging their exercise routines and employs insightful graphs to analyse workouts, fostering ongoing improvement. Meanwhile, HealthifyMe offers intelligent meal plans tailored by expert nutritionists and personalized workout plans guided by certified fitness coaches, ensuring a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Download here and here.
Jefit for strength training
Effective strength training demands strategic program design, and Jefit’s free version provides a comprehensive database of over 1,300 exercises, aiding users in meticulous planning of their weightlifting sessions. The training log tracker allows users to monitor total reps and weights used, facilitating progress tracking in body composition changes such as weight and body fat percentage. Download here.
Cult Fit for different workout styles
Embark on an exciting fitness journey with the cult.fit app, where you can enjoy engaging Group Workouts, dynamic Gym sessions, and various Sports activities, including Swimming and Badminton. Cult.fit embraces a holistic approach, prioritizing both physical and mental well-being, making workouts enjoyable and accessible to everyone. Join the cult.fit community for a comprehensive and fun-filled fitness experience. Download here.
Cure Fit for lifestyle and all-in-one fitness
Cure.fit, an integrative health app that encompasses every aspect of a healthy lifestyle. From diverse workout options like dance, yoga, and strength training led by renowned trainers to nutritious food choices and mental well-being resources, Cure.fit offers a holistic approach. The app’s Energy Meter tracks your performance, and real-time competition with others adds an exciting edge. Stay motivated and informed with weekly reports, empowering you on your journey to a healthier, balanced life.