Talk to strangers, wash your belly button and stroke a dog: 30 simple things you can do to make your life better in the New Year

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Good luck to everyone starting their New Year's resolutions today. But if you're not feeling up to making a big daunting pledge the good news is there are lots of little changes you can make that will hopefully improve your health and happiness in 2024. From talking to strangers, to running slowly and stroking a dog, here's 30 simple ways to improve your life this year... Nick Mitchell, Global CEO and founder of Ultimate Performance, believes succumbing to the pressure of January diets is unhealthy. "The concept, or culture, of the new year diet is one that makes steam come out of my ears in frustration," he says. Try MEN Premium now with our amazing New Year offer...

just click here to give it a go. "See if this sounds familiar – you’ve massively over-indulged over Christmas, which you justify to yourself because come January, you’re going to embark on a diet so strict it would make a supermodel blush.

So, the idea of a January diet to me is one that perpetuates a vicious cycle of disordered eating and impossibly unrealistic expectations that are doomed to failure." Bridget Benelam, nutrition communications manager at the British Nutrition Foundation, says: "It may help to concentrate on what to eat, more of than what to cut back.

Adding more fruits, vegetables, pulses and wholegrains will not only provide valuable nutrients and fibre with fewer calories, but is also likely to displace other less healthy options, re-balancing your diet." "Doing things that you enjoy is good for your emotional wellbeing," says the NHS website. "Simple activities like watching sports with a friend, having a soak in the bath, or meeting up with friends for coffee can all improve your day. "Doing something you're good at, such as