Happy New Year! Start It Off by Relaxing and Centering Yourself

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/smarter-living/new-year-relaxation.html

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Jan. 1 seems like such an arbitrary date to start a new year — and it is. The way it became the beginning of our calendar is simply a “byproduct of a political and religious history that few know much about anymore.”

Meaninglessness aside, the first day of the year can also inspire feelings of immense pressure. That “new year, new me” mentality can create a sinking sense that if you don’t get started on those resolutions right now, or swear off X, or do more of Y, you’ve already set yourself up for failure.

Sure, self-improvement is great. Last week I even wrote about setting and keeping our resolutions. But relaxing and going about things at your own pace is pretty great, too. We have all of 2018 to work on those resolutions and goals — and if you haven’t sent me yours yet, please do! — so today, let’s just relax and get ready for the coming year. Here a few ideas.

Spend some time meditating.

This will take only a few minutes, and you’ll be thankful you did it for the rest of the day.

1. Find a comfortable place to sit, and a posture that is both alert and relaxed.

2. Close your eyes and take a few slow breaths. Loosen your body from your head to your toes, and take a few more deep breaths.

3. Notice the sensations throughout your body — the warmth, the coolness and any discomfort.

4. Pick one sensation — for example, the feeling of your breath going in and out — and devote your attention to it.

5. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to the breath. Repeat as needed.

6. When you’re ready — after one minute, 10 minutes or 30 minutes — open your eyes.

For even more, read our guide to meditation.

Plant yourself in front of the TV and don’t get up.

If this is the final day of your vacation, spend it recovering on the couch while bingeing on your favorite TV, movies and snacks.

This list from Watching is a great place to start: the 100 best movies on Netflix. Or maybe you want to revisit the best TV of 2017? Here are the most memorable episodes of the year. You could also just spend the day watching the second season of “The Crown.”

Start your new fitness routine.

Getting to the gym, in my opinion, is the best release and way to wind down.

But since we’re all taking a rest day today, let’s make it quick and easy: Here are high-intensity interval training routines if you have 10 minutes, seven minutes or four minutes.

Once you’re done, you can get straight back to the couch and keep watching “The Crown.”

Do some cleaning.

Hear me out! The feeling you get from having just tidied up the house, especially as a solution to listless boredom, is sometimes nothing short of transcendent. You get a sense of accomplishment, tangible proof of your efforts, a little bit of exercise and, best of all, a less messy home.

If that’s up your alley today, maybe give your fridge the deep clean it deserves after its heavy use over the last month. Or maybe you’re like me and still haven’t finished cleaning up from your last holiday party? Here’s everything you need to know. And if you want to go big, here’s how to clean every room of your home.

Happy 2018!

— Tim

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