Too often, we equate self-improvement with misery. If it feels good, it can’t also be good for us, right?

That’s actually the mindset that frequently keeps us stuck in a rut. While self-improvement will always require pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, it doesn’t have to make you hate your life. In fact, the best ways to improve your life are the ones that help you feel your best. Here are seven challenging but worthwhile resolutions (New Year’s or otherwise) to prove it.

1. Challenge yourself to an outdoor adventure.

There’s a whole world of outdoor fun waiting for you. So, even if you’re a bit of an outdoors newbie who isn’t quite sure what to bring camping, now is the perfect time to start your journey into the great outdoors. Plan an outdoor adventure and then begin making the preparations to pull it off successfully.

This doesn’t mean that you should tackle something far outside of your skill level. A total beginner probably shouldn’t commit to a week-long backcountry hike. Instead, choose something within your abilities and begin researching the necessary preparations. Save up some money to see that national park you’ve always wanted to check out, or plan a ski trip to the Rockies. The possibilities are endless.

2. Choose a movement practice to add to your routine.

Experts agree that most Americans don’t get enough movement of any kind in their day-to-day lives. That’s why it’s a great idea to pick one “movement practice” to start, such as:

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Yoga
  • Tai chi
  • Riding a bike
  • Bodyweight fitness
  • Boxing
  • Weight lifting

The idea is to find one that you enjoy enough to stick with it. Some people just can’t stand running, and that’s OK. Maybe yoga or bodyweight fitness is more your speed. Many folks also find that grouping up with friends who share the same movement practice is a fun way to keep themselves motivated.

3. Cook a new recipe once a week.

Understandably, many people feel that they don’t have the time to experiment when they cook. With so many other things on the to-do list, who has time to try something that might end up inedible? That’s how we often end up cooking the same things or ordering takeout, and it’s one of the ways that we lose our joy and connection with the food we eat.

If you can dedicate just one night a week to making a new recipe, you’ll soon find that you have a steady stream of new favorites. With more variety in your cooking, you’ll keep your old standby recipes from growing stale, and you’ll help curb the urge to order takeout. And because we all need a backup plan, keep a frozen pizza on hand in case it goes south.

4. Adopt a creative practice.

Creativity comes in many thousands of forms, and it definitely isn’t just something that “artistic types” are born with. Rather, it’s an essential part of being human that helps our minds make sense of the world around us. That’s why it can be so helpful to adopt a creative practice of some kind.

Your creative practice might be brand new, like learning to paint at age 45. It might be something you used to be into but gave up on, like finding your old camera and camera backpack and going to shoot film in the woods again like you did in college. It might even be something you already do, like restoring a classic project car, that you learn to appreciate on a new level based on how it fulfills you and makes you enjoy being alive.

5. Explore meditation.

Increasingly, people are realizing that meditation isn’t a mysterious or out-there practice. It’s a practical tool that anyone can use. You don’t have to join any religion or participate in any kind of mysticism. You only need yourself and a few quiet minutes per day. 

The key to getting the most out of meditation is finding a practice that works for you. Mindfulness meditation is a popular choice because of its simplicity and how it allows practitioners to address negative thoughts in a non-judgmental way. Other types offer other advantages, so experiment and find a practice that provides what you’re looking for.

6. Grow your own vegetables.

Most people are surprised by just how easy it can be to start a small vegetable garden of your own. And the benefits of doing so are considerable. First, you’ve got a lineup of healthy food at the ready whenever you need it. Second, the act of caring for living things can be an incredibly satisfying and even healing part of your daily routine.

Even urban dwellers can get their growth on. If you’ve got a patio or balcony, you can use it to start a charming little garden that produces beautiful vegetables and/or herbs. And if you don’t have the space at your home, seek out a community garden. Most are looking for volunteers.

7. Get more sleep.

An improved sleep cycle might not be the most glamorous resolution, but don’t be fooled. Good sleep is every bit as crucial to the human body as food and water are. And if you’re not getting an age-appropriate amount of sleep every night, your body isn’t getting the fuel it needs for optimal performance.

Our wired-up world can make it tough to decompress long enough to get the deep, restful sleep you need. So, you may need to get creative about restructuring your home routine to facilitate better sleep. Consider moving TVs out of the bedroom and establishing the 30 minutes before bed as a screen-free zone during which you read or meditate.

A resolution can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life, but resist the urge to expect miracles right away. It’s all about consistency and believing in yourself because the end reward is a self that feels better and enjoys life more!