Have you ever decided to hop on the New Year's resolution train, to start your New Year off with exercise, diets, or other popular fads, that just don't last?
You're not alone.
🌱38.5% of US adults set New Year’s resolutions every year.
🌱59% of young adults (18-34) have New Year’s resolutions, which makes it the largest demographic that sets these goals.
🌱48% want to exercise more, making it the most popular New Year’s resolution. The top 3 are all health-related.
🌱23% quit in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month.
🌱9% successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions.
These statistics are proof that overall, New Year's resolutions are not a successful way to make healthy changes that we want to make in our lives. And many people are aware of this, yet, they vow to a New Year’s resolution each year, which they are not confident that they can follow through with in the first place. And when we fail, we get discouraged and maybe stop trying to reach our goals at all.
Let's talk about setting goals.
I know, I'm the microgreens girl. Not the life coach, but, I think this topic is important to have light shed on it, for us to all think about, and to then maybe learn new ways of setting goals that can be successful. Because, we all have goals that we hope to reach, even if we don't follow through with setting them and taking actions toward doing that.
You CAN do it!
Goals keep you motivated, they make you accountable.
Goals help you stay on track and give you a way to measure your progress.
Goals provide a sense of accomplishment when we reach them successfully.
But I think that setting goals needs to be more intentional for us than starting off without a good plan, maybe an accountability partner or with the support of others, and without confidence that we can reach a goal, like making more healthy life choices. Which people often decide to do at the New Year, but are statistically unsuccessful at keeping.
Setting and achieving goals involves a few key steps:
- Specificity: Clearly define your goal.
- Measurability: Set metrics to track progress.
- Attainability: Ensure it's feasible, yet challenging. Start by setting small, reachable goals, that will direct you to reaching bigger ones.
- Relevance: Align goals with your values and aspirations.
- Plan: Break it down into smaller tasks.
- Stay motivated: Celebrate small wins and stay persistent. Be confident in yourself! If you're taking the steps toward reaching goals in your life and you want to create positive changes, your'e on the right track.
Consistent effort, adaptability, and perseverance are crucial in successfully accomplishing your goals.
So, what does New Year's resolutions, and setting goals have to do with the little tiny microgreen and Dani Greens?
A significant number of people make New Year's resolutions related to health, including eating healthier and getting in shape. It's among the most common resolutions globally, with many aiming to start fresh or make positive changes in their lifestyles at the beginning of the year.
And well, microgreens are SUPER nutrient dense, they have so many possible health benefits to offer to those who will consistently consume them, and adding microgreens to your daily diet is just one small, reachable goal, that can start you off in the right direction when it comes to working toward bigger goals. Like taking control of your health, and living a healthier life in general.
Diet can significantly impact mental health just as much as our physical health. A balanced diet with essential nutrients supports brain function and can positively affect mood and overall mental well-being. Consuming whole foods, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and adequate hydration can contribute to better mental health.
Conversely, diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats may have adverse effects on mental well-being, potentially contributing to mood swings, anxiety, or depression.
As of January 2022, numerous studies have highlighted the link between diet and mental health:
- Depression and Diet: Research suggested that a diet high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats might increase the risk of depression.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals have been associated with mental health issues.
- Gut-Brain Connection: The gut microbiome plays a role in mental health. An imbalance in gut bacteria due to poor diet might affect mental well-being.
***On that note, if you haven't, go check out my Blog post about the gut microbiome and microgreens. You can find it here: https://danigreens.com/blogs/news/microgreens-the-gut-microbiome
- Positive Effects: Conversely, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats might contribute to better mental health outcomes.
Statistics vary, but consistently indicate correlations between diet quality and mental health outcomes.
Your actual physical health and your mental health are both largely affected by your diet and what you consume.
Microgreens are packed with nutrients, often more concentrated than their mature counterparts. They contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene. These nutrients contribute to overall health, boosting immunity, supporting heart health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Additionally, microgreens contain polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties and may help in reducing the risk of certain cancers. Their high fiber content can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Incorporating microgreens into your diet adds a flavorful and nutritious punch to meals, contributing to a well-rounded, healthful eating plan.
Microgreens can, further, contribute to better mental health due to their high nutrient content. They contain concentrated levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall well-being. Specifically, they're rich in nutrients like vitamins C, E, and K, as well as beta-carotene.
These nutrients play roles in reducing oxidative stress, supporting brain health, and potentially influencing mood regulation.
While there isn't extensive research solely on microgreens and mental health, their nutrient density suggests they can be part of a diet that promotes overall well-being, including mental health.
Dani Greens hopes to contribute to the overall health and well- being of my local communities.
My very first blog post at www.danigreens.com talked about how my small microgreens farm and social interactions associated with home delivery can positively affect the mental health of our local communities, because positive social interactions, and intentionally making those social connections is a contributing factor to our overall mental health. We all need more of that! If you're interested in reading that blog post, you can find it here: https://danigreens.com/blogs/news/the-large-social-impacts-of-a-small-microgreens-farm-on-its-local-communities
As we are quickly approaching the New Year of 2024, I hope that I can encourage you not to wait to start setting goals that you might not reach, statistically, without taking smaller steps toward reaching bigger goals now.
You can start today!
Adding microgreens to your diet is only one small, positive change that you can make in your life that can lead to reaching your bigger goals of living a healthier life. Eating microgreens is just one small, reachable goal, that will help you make more positive changes in your life, that will add to your health and well being, protect you from chronic disease and illness, boost your immune system, that will aid in good gut health, and that will very possibly help you to take control of your mental health, just as well!
I would love to be a part of your journey, and to help you to make small, positive changes in your life that will lead you to reaching your goals!
Goal 1: Get Dani Greens Microgreens! 🌱
My hope is that Dani Greens can add something beautiful and meaningful to our local communities, by feeding my neighbors microgreens, by meeting and smiling at people in my local communities, and sharing my passion for health, real, raw, whole, nutrient dense foods, and by being a reliable source that you can trust with your health and your family's health. I hope to not just be your microgreens delivery girl, but your friend.
Dani💚