All the Unexpected Benefits That Come From Making Positive Changes This Year

The most difficult part of choosing a workout routine is finding one you love, but also switching it up enough so you don't get bored. Even if you just work out for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, sweating it out during a mini session a few times a week makes a massive difference. Try walking, running, jogging, or dancing to your favorite playlist at home — all you need are some workout clothes and a pair of sneakers. If you're more motivated to feel the burn in a group setting, opt for a class at your gym or a boutique fitness offering.

Committing to a regular sweat session is wonderful, but even just incorporating more walking into your day can help. Try donning a wearable tech device that keeps track of your steps and stick to a daily goal, such as 10,000 steps per day. Just taking the stairs when you can or parking a little farther away from a store in the parking lot will have an overall positive effect on your health.

Taking a daily five to 15 minutes to clear your mind and get in touch with your inner self can work wonders for your psyche. Think of it as a reset button of sorts; meditation helps you clear through the mental clutter and clarify your next steps. To start, use a guided meditation from Headspace through the WW app. Make sure you have privacy, sit in a comfortable chair with your feet on the ground, and begin by focusing on your breath. Namaste.

Freeing up a Sunday afternoon to shop, prepare, and cook a host of meals for the upcoming week is not only cost-effective, it's also wonderful for your waistline. The easier you make it for yourself to have on-the-fly, prepared healthy foods, the less likely you are to opt for that high-calorie takeout in the office or after work. When you stock your fridge with pre-portioned meals of lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish paired with varying vegetables of your choice and seasoned to perfection, it's easy to heat up a healthy choice in a flash. Try one-pan meals for an even easier way to cook your meat and vegetables all at once.

Skimping on sleep leads us to feeling exhausted, of course, but also makes it harder to stick to healthy eating habits. Getting at least seven hours of sleep at night helps you think clearly throughout the day, reduces stress, keeps you in a better mood, and lowers your risk for serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Investing in comfortable bedding and pillows will help you get the shut-eye you need.

The light from your phone can keep you awake by upsetting your circadian rhythm, and being so connected to your incoming emails, texts, and social media can keep you up far past your bedtime without you realizing it. If you know your phone is a rabbit hole that tends to keep you up much later than you'd like, place it far away from your bed so you won't be tempted to indulge in some late-night scrolling.

Looking for an easy way to ignite all these positive changes? WW's new app. It supports healthy food choices with thousands of recipes at your fingertips, activity with streaming workouts, and mindfulness with meditations. Get healthy for life, feel good inside and out, say "yes" more, and look as good as you feel. Download the app here.