As we enter another new year, there’s no better time to adjust your daily habits to help you become the healthiest version of yourself mentally and physically. Here are three strategies you can incorporate into your New Year’s expectations and resolutions that will help ensure 2026 is your healthiest year yet! START EVERY DAY STRONG. Many Americans fall into the same routines year after year, and most are dangerous for their overall well-being. They stay up too late, wake up to an alarm a few hours later, scramble to get ready, and jump in the car as soon as possible to get to work. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day. If you’re in a hurry every morning, you will feel rushed and exhausted. Give yourself ample time in the morning to take care of yourself and some simple chores. Make your bed, have a glass of water, take good care of your hygiene, eat something, and incorporate some movement into your mornings. It will be hard initially, but you’ll feel the benefits within a few weeks. DIET AND EXERCISE MATTER. This is probably not news to you, but we can’t downplay the importance of diet and exercise. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs. Many people fall into the trap of overeating without realizing it or starving themselves when they want to lose weight, 3 DAILY HABITS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR 2026
but this won’t make them feel good. Eat when your body tells you to, stick to a healthy diet, and find time for exercise. You need to find ways to motivate yourself, especially when you want to stay in bed and stick to comfort foods. Your body will thank you. DRINK MORE WATER. How much water do you drink each day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily and women should drink 11.5 cups. If you aren’t hitting these numbers, it’s time to adjust. Start and finish each day with a glass of water. Walk around with a refillable bottle. Staying hydrated will help your body function much better.
The Expensive Side of ‘Yes’
FOMO FUELS OVERSPENDING
We all know the feeling: A friend posts that dreamy beach photo, someone’s heading to a music festival, or you see the perfect brunch video pop up on your feed, and suddenly there’s this itch, “What did I miss out on?” That whisper has a name: FOMO, or the fear of missing out, and when it nudges you to open your wallet, it becomes FOMO spending. FOMO spending is when the urge to partake in experiences like concerts, travel, and social getaways overrides your financial boundaries. It’s not just about wanting “stuff”; it’s about wanting in. The problem is that those desires often come with a huge price tag. Studies suggest this isn’t just anecdotal. Empower’s research found that 51% of Americans admit they’ve made purchases or investments sparked by FOMO, with many pointing to experiences like dining out and traveling. When social media becomes a nonstop highlight reel, we compare ourselves and our bank accounts to a filtered ideal. The stakes are real. The 2019 Modern Wealth Survey sponsored by Charles Schwab revealed that more than a third of Americans admit their spending is influenced by what friends are doing, often leading them to exceed their
means. In an experimental study, researchers found that FOMO significantly increased the likelihood of impulse purchases even with budget constraints in place. That tells us FOMO isn’t just temptation; it’s a powerful nudge against rational behavior. Experiences are powerful. They build memories, foster connections, and bring joy. But when every experience becomes “must-do,” the balance breaks. You end up chasing the next event, trip, or spending spree, and your long-term goals take a back seat. You might skip saving, rack up credit card debt, or delay retirement goals all in pursuit of that next “memorable” moment. Here’s the catch: Living for the moment is fine until that moment’s price tag pushes your future out of reach. The challenge is to be intentional. Deciding where you should spend your energy (and money) gives you permission to skip the rest. The thrill of one impulsive decision fades fast; the peace of financial security lasts. If FOMO is the voice telling you to just go for it, try asking yourself: Will I thank myself in five years for this? Strike a balance between living fully today and protecting tomorrow. That’s how you stop FOMO from bankrupting your joy.
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