New year, new you? It’s the beginning of a new year and although you may have toasted to the idea of a fresh start, New Years is not the only time to challenge yourself. Changing up your day-to-day routine can make you a better person mentally, physically and spiritually.

It may be tempting to settle back into your old ways, but let’s face it, staying the same will leave you feeling complacent and just plain bored. Getting out of your comfort zone is what helps you grow as an individual.

When you recite the same routine on a daily basis, it’s easy and manageable; you don’t have to think much about it. Nevertheless, making a change can be as simple as doing a crossword puzzle every day. Research has shown that playing mentally stimulating games, such as crosswords, checkers, puzzles or cards, not only helps keep your mind sharp, but it may also aide in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Committing to an early morning walk/jog is another way to shake up your everyday activities. It’s not only a great way to help stay physically fit, but it’ll also help you clear your mind and boost your energy for the day. The interaction with the city, combined with sunshine and the release of endorphins will set the tone for a positive day.

Making changes and setting goals for how you live life will manifest positivity. Focusing on the present and not bracing for what’s ahead will alleviate a heap of stress. We all crave control when it comes to our lives, but sometimes we can’t control what life throws at us.

When you get into an anticipatory mindset about what’s to come, you waste time and energy, and most of the time, things pan out differently than you planned. So here’s to enjoying the process and not just focusing on the end result.