2021 Resolutions: Pressing the Reset Button

Just like many people around the world, the first few pages of my 2020 plans had to be scrapped. My travel plans, wish lists, and in-person commitments took a back seat for the health and safety of everyone. It was also the first year that I didn�t get to visit my family back in Penang, but like many, I pulled through with video calls and virtual catch-up sessions to stay connected.

I think a lot of us would agree that the pandemic didn�t just stop us from meeting physically � it also affected our finances, attitude towards health and those ambitious resolutions we had at the start of last year. Now, as we enter the first quarter of 2021, many of us are once again busy setting our new year�s resolutions for the year ahead. And while our resolutions and goals might be slightly different this year due to the pandemic, it is also a good chance for us to take the learnings from 2020 and approach our health, fitness and financial resolutions with a new mindset.

Resolution 1: �This is the year I will eat clean (for real!)�

Emotional eating, on the other hand, is not something we can address by controlling food portions. When we are anxious and stressed, it is common for us to seek foods that give us comfort. The AIA What Matters team and I checked in with Dr Sareena Hanim Hamzah, acting deputy director of Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences of University of Malaya, who shared that �Consuming food in response to our emotions reflects the body�s inability to distinguish between physiological hunger and the desire to use eating as a strategy to reduce these emotions. This could affect us both physically and mentally in the long run.�

I also agree with Dr Sareena that there is no better time to practice mindful eating than now, where we can cook at home more often than eating out. Mindful eating is all about paying attention to our food and enjoying the taste and each moment of our meal. The end goal here is not to trim down the extra weight but to fix unhealthy eating habits.

Resolution 2: �I will exercise 5 times a week�

Your fitness regime can start off easy and slow. Twice a week, with 10-minute sessions is a good place to start where you can begin with a walk, basic stretching exercises and some simple cardio workouts. Double the fun by adding some variety into your routine as you progress further. I have enriched my fitness routine by exploring and incorporating a few new activities, such as new workout apps, live workout sessions on Instagram, and even started playing basketball and roller skating!

Resolution 3: �I will save money every month�

Looking at the brighter side of things, 2020 was proof that we can find new ways to approach life. Even though we might have had to cancel the things we have set out to do, it was a good chance to learn and explore new things. What�s happening around the world may be beyond our control but working on improving our lives is something that is still within our hands. Good luck with your resolutions this year!