5 New Year’s resolutions you’ll actually stick to

The New Year is here, but what should you be focussing on?

The New Year symbolises change for almost everyone in the world. And whether this well-meaning sentiment lasts past the first week of January or not, it’s crucial that you begin to think about the bigger picture and to focus your resolutions – whatever they may be – on something more realistic and understated than huge, over-the-top sweeping statements. So what are the 5 resolutions you should set your mind to, that you’ll actively stick to?

We’ve already given you to low-down on what we think of Dry January, and while cutting out booze for an entire month might not be the best way to go forwards, there’s definitely something to be said for cutting out the odd drink here and there. Cutting down wholly on your booze during the work week has a string of benefits and is guaranteed to set you up for a much more clear-headed and positive working day than a hangover would.

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Far too many men rely on the old faithful of a tinned or bottled sauce and a pan full of pasta but, gentlemen, it’s time to make a change. Make 2o17 the year you learn how to cook, but take it easy. Don’t go wild forcing yourself to make all kinds of dishes that you don’t want or need to eat, and remember that slow and steady wins the race. Start with a meat dish, then a pasta, then a soup, then a risotto and slowly start to build you repertoire. You can do it, gents.

There’s something to be said for waking up earlier and seizing the day. That’s not to say that you have to hit the gym at 5am or make yourself a full English first thing, but you’ll find the day much easier to tackle if you set your alarm 30 minutes earlier than you have been doing, make yourself a cup of coffee and give your body – and your brain – time to wake up before stepping into the office.

We’re going to say it gentlemen, work is not the be all and end all of life. And, in order to have a healthier relationship with yourself, your friends and your family, you need to start learning how to leave work at the door the second you walk out. Relationships are much more difficult to maintain when all you do is worry and whinge about work, check your emails and take calls from your boss after you’ve clocked off, so focus on pushing your attention to the more important things in life this year.

Yes, we just told you to get up earlier, but going to bed earlier also has a host of benefits. The older you get, the more important sleep is not only for your physical appearance but also for your mental health. You can’t tackle a 9-hour working day, a host of social events and personal relationships on less than 5 hours sleep, no matter who you think you are. So get snoozing, gentlemen, because this is the year you need to start actually looking after yourself.

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