The arrival of a new year presents a moment to set goals and reconsider what’s possible. At OliKo, we believe there is no one way, and no deadline, when it comes to pursuing your dreams. According to one study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, those who set New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to actually change their behavior than people who don't make these yearly goals.

With that, we’ve gathered a list of realistic resolutions you can work towards (some even highlight how OliKo can aid in helping you achieve your New Year’s goals!). More than just encouraging quotes—Dream big! Don’t let fear stand in your way! Do something new!—we hope this blog will provide you with a dash of inspiration as you set your 2022 resolutions.

1. Take better care of your gut health. It’s no secret that probiotics can help improve the appearance of your skin, maintain your blood sugar levels, reduce fatigue, boost energy levels, freshen your breath, support healthy weight management, and support nutrient absorption. OliKo is made with live cultures, aka probiotics. So when you drink Oliko, not only are you getting all those benefits of good bacteria, but probiotic drinks can do wonders for your health and help your gut get back into balance. This helps restore your overall well-being.

2. Prioritize environmentally friendly practices over convenience. 2021 climate research reveals that the average American produces over 2,000 pounds of trash every year. At OliKo, we take sustainability seriously and design our packaging to be reusable and recyclable, so you can feel good about what you’re sipping and the company values you’re supporting. Other ways to reduce your waste include ditching paper towels in favor of rags you cut up from old towels and clothes. Try avoiding things that are made of or packaged entirely in plastic. It’s polluting our oceans, destroying the earth, and hurting animals. Another easy switch is reusable grocery, produce, and bulk bags. Over time, even the smallest changes make a big difference!

3. Buy less from Amazon and more from small businesses. In 2021, Amazon made up to $680 million every day. While that’s great news for Amazon, their success definitely affects small businesses. An estimated 800,000 small businesses closed permanently in the first year of the pandemic, roughly 30 percent more than is typical, according to a study by the Federal Reserve. By supporting a small business, you're also supporting the local community. Spending your money there helps to stimulate the local economy and keep business booming within your local region.

4. Drink less alcohol. Maybe completely cutting out alcohol isn’t a realistic resolution for you and that’s okay. Try Dry January. Researchers in Europe where the dry January challenge started nearly a decade ago say the brief break from booze can bring you several health benefits ranging from improved sleep and weight loss to reduced cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. It can bring another important benefit, self-awareness.

5. Try a totally new restaurant. Go on. Be adventurous. Try that sushi roll or order takeout from the Indian restaurant that just opened up down the street. There are so many Colorado-native gems you can support along the way, too. Need a place to start? Use our list of partners and visit (or revisit!) all of the restaurants that carry our product. Not to encourage you to buy OliKo, but to support our friends who work hard to offer flavorful dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.

6. Bring a plant into your home. According to an article by The Sill, indoor plants can help you feel your best in more ways than one. Not only do indoor plants enhance the overall appearance of a space, but they've been shown to boost moods, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants—making for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don't just look good—they can make us feel good, too.

7. Talk Less, Listen More. Good things happen and you learn and notice so much when you spend more time listening. To listen, we need to make a conscious effort not to just hear what people are saying but to take it in, digest it and understand. Not only does listening enhance your ability to understand better and make you a better communicator, it also makes the experience of speaking to you more enjoyable to other people.

8. Craft Something Yourself. Even if you’re not the artsiest, DIY type of person, the satisfaction you get from making something with your own hands is undeniable. It can be as small as a candle or as big as a coffee table. We like to find new ways to upcycle our OliKo bottles—like making them candlestick holders, a place to collect loose change, and olive oil dispensers.

9. Write down ten things you’re grateful for every morning or night. Begin or end the day with gratitude. The University of Rochester Medical Center says that keeping a gratitude journal can help battle anxiety, stress, and depression. Even if you start out only writing one sentence, you will reap the benefits.

10. Give back. Pass it on. Have clothes you don’t wear? We tend to hang onto stuff “just in case.” If you haven’t worn it in a year, give someone else the chance to. Did someone do something nice for you recently? 2021 is a great time to do something nice for another. Maybe you’ll pay for someone’s coffee in the drive-thru or volunteer at a shelter. Receive good things, and spread them, too.

The New Year offers a blank slate—an opportunity to get things right. When we set New Year's resolutions, we are utilizing a very important concept called self-efficacy, which means that by virtue of aspiring to a goal and following through on it, we have a sense of control over what's happening in our lives.

Every year, millions of people resolve to "lose weight," "be more productive," or "get in shape" during the next year. Instead of selecting such ambiguous goals, focus on more concrete targets that you can realistically set your sights on. In other words, choose very specific, achievable goals. Whether you choose one of the new year resolutions above or all ten, we hope you’ll be better off for it.