Let’s be honest, new year’s resolutions can often fall by the wayside before the Christmas decorations have even come down. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the new year as an opportunity to make plans for how you want to spend your year and make some promises for the year ahead. 

With that in mind, we thought we would share some of the our favourite resolutions that we have heard this year, and that have inspired us to inject some extra joy into 2024.! 

Spend more time outside  

The NHS says, “More and more studies and research conclude that spending time in good quality outdoor spaces has benefits for all aspects of our health. Even starting by simply looking at nature, then just being outside, and on to any number of activities, the outdoor environment brings extra benefits for our health and wellbeing.” 

Don’t forget our Fava Bean snacks are a great way to refuel whistle you’re out in the fresh air, and are fibre rich so keep you fuller for longer, meaning you can spend even longer outside!. 

Make more time for art and creativity 

We’ve felt really inspired by all the daily drawing challenges on Instagram which give you a prompt for a 5 minute drawing to do every day for a month, but getting creative doesn’t have to be limited to a quick sketch. It doesn’t have to cost lots loads of money either!. A pack of drawing pencils can be picked up for a few £’s, charity shops are often full of wool and fabric, get exploring and see what you can find. Whether it’s drawing, painting, sculpting with clay, knitting, or crocheting, spending time being creative can have a really positive effect on our lives. Here are a few ways how: 

• It helps us slow down and focus. In a non-stop world, where we have the internet at our fingertips, finger tips it’s easy to lose large chunks of our day to mindless scrolling. Having a regular creative outlet is great - improving concentration and focus. 
• It’s productive! We get to see and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Whether it’s a handknitted scarf or a drawing to hang on our wall we can see and feel the products of our creativity. 

Practice gratitude 

Intentionally focusing on the positive aspects of our day-to-day lives is a really simple way to enjoy life more. Reflecting and naming the best parts of our day, things that have brought us joy or things we are grateful for is something the bean team definitely want to do more of.   

If you are not sure where to start, Sprinkles of Joy is a card deck created by UK-based positive psychology practitioner Sophie Cliff. It features 50 cards spanning five categories that are scientifically proven to boost joy and happiness in your everyday life. 

Stop scrolling & pick up a new podcast

There’s a wealth of podcasts available over a whole host of platforms. Whether you love a motivational speaker, fitness fan, true crime or are simply looking for some well-being and calm inspiration there’s something for everyone.  

We asked some of our team what their favourite recommendations were…

“I love a whole mix. I generally listed whilst I’m out walking our dogs, it’s a great way to switch off and learn something new at the same time. I dip between things depending on the time I have available, personally I love Holly Tucker’s ‘Conversations of Inspiration’, they’re a beautiful insight into different people’s business journeys, and they always leave me feeling inspired. “ 

“For me it’s all about connecting with other people’s lives when listening to a podcast, and focusing on personal experiences. My go-to favourites are Bryony Gordon’s ‘Mad World’, Elizabeth Day’s ‘How to Fail’ celebrating the things that haven’t gone quite right in life’s plan. I also love catching up with Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ revealing what happiness means to a vast array of incredible and inspiring people. I’ve also been known to get lost in a true crime podcast, and ‘Table Manners’ with Jessie & Lennie Ware – all about food, family and a good helping of humour!