Wellness is at the top of all our minds—and this time of year illuminates this truth so brightly. Research shows that nearly 80 percent of the resolutions made by Americans focus on health, exercise, and eating. We want to feel better, get stronger, and live longer. Of course we do. But as exciting as they are, resolutions come with a tough side. They can be hard to keep because of the demands on our lives, waning interest, or other factors. We can get down on ourselves when we don't follow them to the letter. This isn't a great way to start anything, much less a new year.

For these reasons, we tend not to focus as much on resolutions at PrimaFoodie. None of us need to add more to our to-do lists. But even more so, we've found that the good shifts in our lives have always come from small, simple, tangible promises and intentions. The small wins day after day that add up to the changes and results we want to see: Waking up 10 minutes earlier. Taking a 15-minute walk at lunch. Filling most of our plates with vegetables. Removing one grain from our diets. Psychologist Karl E. Weick put it succinctly in his research on small wins. He stated that regrouping "larger problems into smaller, less arousing problems" helps us see "opportunities of modest size that produce visible results." Yes!

When we put our energy toward the things that directly inspire us and build toward something more significant, magic happens. It also allows us to focus on what we truly want and let go of what we don't. After all, the word "resolve" hails from the Latin word resolutionem, which means "process of reducing things into simpler forms."

So, let's start thinking this way. Let's weave in a kinder and tenable approach this year by freeing ourselves from resolutions and leaning into the tangible shifts we want to make—for our health, hearts, families, and planet.

If you're seeing inspiration on where to start, we've laid out our 15 favorite ideas to help you shift your thinking and embrace more vitality. Each of these are small wins that—with consistency—always lead to bigger gains.

Start reading the labels on every packaged food you purchase.
Get up five minutes—just five!—earlier.
Drink one additional glass of water a day.
If you work at a desk, get up to stretch every hour. (Be sure to set your timer!)
Introduce yourself to a new farmer at the farmers' market. (Aim to do this everytime you go.)
Cook with a vegetable or spice that is foreign to you.
Clear out your pantry and restock all your essentials.
Bake something and hand deliver it to your neighbor.
Swap one conventional everyday personal care item (e.g., toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, hand cream) for one made without endocrine disruptors.
Cook your way through a new cookbook.
Subscribe to a health-focused newsletter.
Volunteer at a local food pantry.
Dedicate five minutes a day to balancing stress.
Try one new breathing exercise each morning, whether it’s box breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or simply taking five deep breaths.
Learn the origin story of one ingredient you use regularly.
Learn about cooking fats and swap out seed oils for healthier options like ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil.