It’s the new year, and with it comes the motivation to turn over a new leaf and start fresh. New Year’s resolutions are one way to do this, but they’re often difficult to stick to—either because we don’t set realistic goals, or because we don’t have the tools we need to succeed.
Apps can be a great tool for success when you’re trying to achieve a goal. Whether you want to quit smoking, run your first marathon, or save money for a house down payment, there’s an app that can help.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For New Year’s Resolutions
2017 is over. That feels crazy to type (and probably crazy to read). Rather than looking back on what you could’ve done differently, I’m guessing you’re more than ready to move on to 2018 and make it one of your best years yet.
And why not make it easier to accomplish all those New Year’s resolutions in the upcoming months with the help of a little tech? Last year I recommended some of the best apps for working toward your goals, whatever they are. Now—because new year, new tools—here are nine more that’ll take you to the next level.
- Learn More (and Have Fun Doing it) With Memrise
If you slept through your high school Spanish class but are ready to redeem yourself now, try Memrise. With over 200 languages to choose from, you’ll learn from the best—the Memrise community of native speakers. The app includes audio, images, and a variety of memorization techniques, plus the playful touches make it feel more like a game and less like a boring homework assignment.
You can also share your own courses or build up career skills in topics like finance, accounting, marketing, and more.
Cost: Free (with pro upgrade available) on iOS, Android, and the web
- Travel More With Skyscanner
If your resolution is to see the world, there’s an easy way to make it as painless as possible for your bank account. Skyscanner gives you access to the cheapest flights, hotels, and rental cars, wherever you’re off to. Detailed filters, price drop notifications, easy-to-read calendars, and comparison charts let you easily find the best deal and reserve it with no extra fees.
Best frustration-saver? It synchs your flight time with your search so you don’t have to re-enter that info when you’re looking for hotels or transport for your trip.
Cost: Free on iOS, Android, and the web
- Relax More With Pause
I’m always looking for new ways to make mindfulness a part of my routine. So, when I found out that the company that created the enchanting Monument Valley game had a relaxation app, I knew I had to check it out.
Instead of offering you meditation exercises that put you to sleep, the Pause app just asks you to move colorful shapes around on the screen to the rhythm of soothing music. This simple act brings your attention to the present moment, and, as Pause’s creator says, “That’s where the real journey to relaxation begins.”
Cost: $1.99 on iOS and Android
- Break a Bad Habit With Strides
If you’re set on giving up your caffeine addiction or cutting out late-night Netflix binges in 2017, Strides will help you keep your eyes on the prize. The app encourages you to break down your goals into doable chunks, and lets you easily track your progress.
Its sleek and simple interface shows your targets, habits, averages, and milestones, and you can choose when you want to be reminded to do something and receive encouraging notifications when you achieve your goals.
Cost: Free (with upgrade available) on iOS and the web
- Read More News With Quartz News
Keeping up with the latest news stories can really be a challenge nowadays, so it’s nice to hear about a new approach to current events. And the Quartz news app (for Android or iOS) is definitely that. It presents stories in a chat-style interface, including photos, GIFs, and links, and you can click on the relevant emoji to teach the app what you’re interested in.
The news comes from Quartz’s own site, as well as other established sources, but it’s a fresh and fun way to keep informed and be a part of the chat-bot revolution (we are heading into the future, after all).
Cost: Free on iOS and Android
- Meditate More With Simple Habit
You’ve probably heard more than enough about the benefits of meditation, but how do you fit it into your busy schedule? Simple Habit makes it possible, with five-minute guided meditations to fit the time of day or the challenges you face throughout it (commuting, stress, insomnia).
Developed by a team of Harvard psychologists and experts in the field, Simple Habit has over 500 meditations, with more being added every week.
Cost: Free (seven-day trial) on iOS, Android, and the web
- Give More With ShareTheMeal
The promise to help others can be one of the most rewarding and beneficial promises you make this year. ShareTheMeal is an app from the United Nations World Food Program that lets you do your part to fight world hunger. For only 50 cents a day, you can feed a hungry child. All you have to do is open the app and click to contribute.
Cost: Free on iOS, Android, and the web
- Stay Connected to Your Network With Spaces
Resolutions don’t have to only be about health and productivity. A few years ago, I decided to stay in touch with my friends more often, and it was the most enjoyable promise I’ve ever made myself (although my get-more-sleep resolution comes at a very close second).
You can give your social circles some love with Spaces by Google.
The app lets you create a “space,” or private group, to share your latest pics, favorite videos, or interesting articles. You can then comment on them and search for more (of course—it is Google, after all) without ever having to put down your phone.
Cost: Free on iOS, Android, and the web
- Be More Punctual With HERE WeGo
Despite living overseas and traveling regularly, my hilariously bad sense of direction is beyond repair. But I’ve resolved to avoid late arrivals by always being prepared with directions to where I’m headed— by using the HERE WeGo app.
It has offline maps for over 100 countries, plus traffic updates, public transit timetables, taxi info for some cities, walking instructions, and indoor maps for complicated places like airports and stadiums. I’d truly be lost without it!
Cost: Free on iOS, Android, and the web
Ready for a resolution-rich year? Download a few (or all) of these apps, and you’re sure to have a terrific (and productive) time in 2018.
new years resolutions for teens
When the new year rolls around, it’s typical for adults to set fresh goals for the 12 months ahead, but what about kids? Don’t leave them out. Children may not be able to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year, but it’s a good idea for them to partake in goal setting at the top of the year too. Making New Year’s resolutions together is a fun, bonding activity that you can do as a family.
“Goal-setting gives children and teens a sense of responsibility and purpose,” says Lauren Mosback, LPC, NCC, a Philadelphia-based licensed professional counselor who specializes in child and teen mental health. The My Sister’s Super Skills author adds, “As children and teens begin to form their identities, it is important for them to feel positive about themselves, their interests, and achievements. Creating and attaining goals gives children direction, motivates them and contributes to a strong belief in oneself and the knowledge that they can make a difference.”
Setting intentions and sticking to them can teach young people valuable lessons that will likely stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“With goal-setting, children have the opportunity to engage in self-reflection, explore interests and passions, develop decision-making skills, enhance self-awareness, develop a sense of purpose, strengthen identity and increase self-confidence,” says Mosback.
Let’s face it, many adults abandon their resolutions after a few short weeks. Worried that your child may do the same? Don’t be. Mosback suggests, “If parents see their children are struggling to work toward their resolution, the best strategy to increase their motivation would be for parents to model action steps toward their own resolution.”
new years resolutions for kids
VISUALARTSTUDIOGETTY IMAGES
From preschoolers to high schoolers, we’ve compiled a list of resolutions for kids of all ages. Plus, we’ve included a few that the entire family can do together.
Whether it’s improving in school, doing more chores, or spending more quality time with loved ones — achieving these goals can be overwhelmingly satisfying, boost confidence, and strengthen bonds.
Here are some tips for setting age-appropriate resolutions for a healthier, happier year.
New Year’s Resolutions for Preschoolers (ages 3-5)
new year’s resolutions for kids new year’s resolutions for preschoolers
SONERCDEMGETTY IMAGES
Establishing good habits with children while they are young sets them up to have good habits in adulthood. Making New Year’s resolutions is the perfect jumpstart. If your child is too young to fully grasp what resolutions are, be sure to explain it to them in a way that they’ll understand.
“Parents can start talking to children about goals by looking at goals the child has already accomplished,” says Mosback. Do they brush their teeth? Can they ride a bike? Have they learned how to tie their shoes? Can they swim? Find something they have already accomplished and talk to them about the steps it took to get there and how good they felt when they achieved that goal.”
I will put away my toys after playing with them.
I will share my toys with siblings and friends.
I will use my words to express my feelings.
I will go to bed without putting up a fight.
I will always say thank you when someone gives or hands me something.
I’ll at least try a bite of new foods.
I will practice writing my name every day.
New Year’s Resolutions for Elementary/Tweens (ages 6-12)
new year’s resolutions for elementary schoolers tweens
FOTOSIPSAKGETTY IMAGES
For school-age children, making resolutions can be a fun learning experience. “The most important factor in creating goals is to not have the focus around something that is wrong or fixing a problem,” says Mosback. “The focus should be on adding more meaning and value to your life and on the process of reaching a goal. This mindset promotes more mindful decision-making, which allows the focus to remain in the present, rather than only the future outcomes.”
I will eat more green vegetables with dinner.
I will set myself a savings goal for my allowance.
I will brush my teeth and floss twice a day.
I will read for at least 30 minutes every day.
I will find an activity or sport that I can do twice a week.
When the weather is nice, I will play outside.
I will limit playing video games to one or two hours per day.
I will openly express my feelings and not be afraid to share them with others.
I will make my bed every morning.
I will keep my room and closet organized.
New Year’s Resolutions for Teens
new year’s resolutions for teens
DAISY-DAISYGETTY IMAGES
Although teenagers are old enough to make their own resolutions, it is a good idea to introduce them to the idea of setting goals for the year. However, there are certain goals that shouldn’t be reinforced.
“Parents should be careful about more common goals centered around food and exercise goals,” says Carrie Jackson, MD, a licensed child psychologist in San Diego. “Goals that are focused on losing weight, changing body appearance, or altering food should be avoided as they can create unhealthy eating habits and body image. If your child does want to incorporate some more exercise, you can frame it in a way that is not focused on the goal to lose weight, but rather to try out new physical activities each week.”
I will unplug from social media at least 24 hours every month.
I will read one new book every month.
I will donate my unwanted shoes and clothes.
I will drink more water.
I will get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
I will learn a new vocabulary word every day.
I will perform one act of kindness every week.
I will refrain from saying negative things about myself.
I will ask questions if I am unsure of something.
New Year’s Resolutions for the Family
new year’s resolutions for kids
BLACKCATGETTY IMAGES
Setting goals and resolutions that you can accomplish as a family will help strengthen bonds and hopefully create lasting memories. “Developing a family resolution can lead to more family-time and it can also teach kids the skill of teamwork,” says Mosback. “Developing and achieving a goal together as a family can be a bonding experience that draws the family closer as well.”
We will have a family game night once a week.
We will organize a monthly or weekly family volunteer activity that supports a group or charity of our choice.
We will share our highs and lows of the day with each other every night.
We will eat dinner together as a family every night.
We will put away our devices during dinner.
Every week, we will tell each other the qualities we admire most about them.
We will participate in one physical activity together as a family once a week.
We will make dinner together at least once a week.
We will use less plastic; and be more eco-friendly.
Conclusion
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Check out other publications to gain access to more digital resources if you are just starting out with Flux Resource.
Also contact us today to optimize your business(s)/Brand(s) for Search Engines