5 New Year's resolutions to help make your life better this year

Each New Year's Eve promises a chance to change the way you live for the better, and many people make ambitious resolutions. These 5 can help put you on the road towards better health, social growth, and personal fulfilment this year.

Making the resolution to become more civic-minded and to give back may get pushed aside in light of all the things that you have to accomplish during the course of the day.

• If you make it a point to give something back each and every day, you may find that it becomes second-nature.
• This could manifest in buying someone's coffee anonymously at your favourite morning stop, or in using more patience with your children. The rewards are immeasurable.

A great way to breed positivity in your life is through daily meditation and reflection.

• This may involve something as simple as setting the alarm clock an hour earlier to allow yourself time to read or think over coffee in the morning.
• Slowing down gives you the chance to reflect and learn as you move ahead.

Many will make drastic resolutions regarding diet and exercise to gain the obvious health benefits that these changes promise.

• The truth is, eating whole foods that are as close to their natural state as possible is the best way to feel invigorated and rejuvenated. Wouldn't that be a great way to feel after a meal? This may mean cooking certain foods a bit less, or incorporating more fruits and veggies into your daily diet.
• Eating more "mindfully" also means putting away the electronics, turning off the television, and focusing on your food. The fewer the distractions, the more you'll enjoy your food, the less you tend to eat.

There are so many simple things in life that bring great pleasure. From the sheets that you sleep on to the smell of fresh coffee, make time to enjoy and cherish each of these simple joys.

• This also is the perfect way to be kinder to yourself.
• Making time to put fresh linens on the bed or to light a fragrant candle are ways to be gentler and better to yourself, which has positive impacts in other areas of your life.

Make the time to create a beautiful surrounding for you and your family.

• This could be as simple as getting rid of the visual clutter in your home, or perhaps splurging on a great piece of art for the wall.

When you can look around your home and feel peace and contentment, this can improve mood and give you a sense of personal fulfilment.

Committing to change in the new year doesn't require paying for a costly gym membership, going on a crazy crash diet or involve a lot of time and effort. Make resolutions that will bring you peace, harmony and health in the year to come are sometimes borne from the simplest resolutions.