Wellness and New Year’s: How Not to “Buy In” to the Resolution Industry
We tend to think of New Year’s resolutions as an opportunity to start fresh, let go of last year’s baggage, and think forward to the kind of person we want to be next year. However, for major corporations like Amazon, it also presents an opportunity to take advantage of personal goals and insecurities for profit—especially those related to wellness.
Year after year, the most popular resolutions have to do with improving physical health, with common goals being getting more exercise, losing weight, or eating healthier. While all of these can be achieved without buying expensive equipment or meal plans, retailers like to convince you otherwise. It’s even better for them if it means keeping sales up through January.
Companies are entirely aware that people tend to feel more insecure about their bodies after the holidays because they usually involve decadent food and ample time spent lounging at home. In fact, an article on Amazon’s advertising page informs its retailers that “64% of adults in the US… are more conscious about their physical health than ever before.” The same article also points out that 60% of their user base planned on buying a wellness product to support their resolutions.
With the majority of resolutions being all but abandoned by February, it’s clear that buying health products isn’t the solution. Here are some alternative and budget-friendly ways to build healthy habits.
Exercise how you want. Being healthy doesn’t always look like spending hours in the gym. If you’re not a fan of being out in the cold, something as simple as playing Just Dance or following along with workout videos at home is a good option. If you enjoy the winter weather, going ice skating with family or friends is a great opportunity to get moving and spend time with people you care about. Even sledding can get your heart pumping, both on your way down and back up (some of those hills are no joke!).
Use the addition rule. When trying to eat healthier we tend to think about all the foods we need to give up, but this usually makes our diets unsustainable in the long run. Instead, focus on adding foods that may be missing for a more well-rounded meal. Consider adding an egg for some protein and spinach for fiber next time you make ramen, or add some berries and nuts to your morning bowl of cereal. This rule lets you keep eating the foods you love while getting the nutrients you need.
Find (or make) communities. A great way to keep up healthy habits is to participate in a group activity. UMN students can attend RecWell classes for free, making them a great way to try something new and meet people with similar interests. You can also get your friends involved! Whether it be joining a campus sport club or going to a local yoga studio, setting aside time to exercise with a friend allows you to keep one another accountable while doing something you enjoy.
