16 Super Chill Ways To Reset Yourself For The New Year

Let's leave 2016 in the past, please.

1. Go for a walk.

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It doesn't matter where you go. Choose a neighbourhood that you've never been to before, and spend a few hours wandering around, checking out the shops and trying the local cafés. Or find a walking trail near your house and get your legs moving. If you live in a major city, see if there are any self-guided walking tours that you can download.

2. Netflix and chill out.

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Sure, there are those shows that you watch religiously each week with your friends or your partner. Buy why not choose a random new show you've never heard of and spend a whole night alone binge-watching the shit out of it? You can eat a whole tub of ice-cream while you do it too, without even having to share. Here's a list of some you might not have heard of yet, and these are some which can be conquered in a single weekend in bed.

3. Re-watch your favourite childhood movie.

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There's something so comforting in curling up on the couch and watching a movie that was a huge part of your childhood. Even if you've seen Matilda 100 times, and you know each line off by heart, it will still remind you of watching it back when you were a kid and you dreamed of being able to move a cereal box with your eyes.

4. Do some colouring in.

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Colouring-in may have really enjoyed its heyday last year, but that doesn't mean it's not still a good activity. Ditch the boring floral patterns and cityscapes you're used to, and get a book that caters to your interests. You can get this meme one here, a Harry Potter one here, or a sweary one here.

5. Read a book.

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This might seem like a bit of a boring one. Make it more interesting - head to your local bookshop and ask a worker there what their favourite novel is. Buy a copy, take it home, and hopefully you'll discover a new book that you absolutely love.

6. Meditate.

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Don't worry, we're not asking you to sit cross-legged and think about nothing for 30 minutes, unless that's something you want to do. Practicing meditation and mindfulness does wonders for your mind and body, and it doesn't have to be an arduous task. There are apps and guided meditations for even the most easily-distracted individuals. Take 10 minutes out of your day to sit down, chill out, and clear your mind.

7. Go people-watching.

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Choose a comfy spot in a café, in a park, or just on a bench at the side of the road. Sit back, and watch life pass you by. You're guaranteed to feel relaxed watching people bustle past. Make it extra interesting by making up life stories for the people who pass by, just make sure not to be too creepy about it. Leave the binoculars at home.

8. Get crafty.

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Choose a DIY project and spend an afternoon indoors getting your craft on. Have a go at some cross-stitch, some home decor, or these no-sew DIY clothing hacks. Also, check out this list of super-easy projects that'll take you less than an hour.

9. Train your brain.

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Sure, you could sit around idly watching TV or staring out the window contemplating life... OR you can challenge yourself and keep your brain active. Try your hand at a Sudoku or Ken Ken puzzle, or go old school and try to do an actual jigsaw puzzle. There are also crosswords you can do in the newspaper, but if you're more of a screen person, there are a ton of online puzzles and apps as well.

10. Test out a new recipe.

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Not a good cook? Fabulous. Do it now, while you're alone and there's no one around to see if you fail. Choose your favourite food that you only ever eat when you're out, and try to cook it at home. There are an endless number of recipes to be found online for every single dish under the sun. Turn on your favourite music, whack on an apron, and start cooking.

11. Clean and re-organise your bedroom.

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Spend an hour or two giving your bedroom or living-room a mini makeover. Start by cleaning, clearing out any junk or clutter you don't need. Rearrange your furniture, stick some fresh flowers in a jar or a vase, and print out photos or images that you love to decorate your walls. Even just a few minor changes should breathe a bit of life into your home, which in turn will make you feel pretty damn good too. Check out this app which will help you get started.

12. Get loaded and watch funny YouTube videos.

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Let's be honest, videos of people falling over and running into things will always be funny. But you know what makes it better? Wine. Lots of wine. So settle in with your wine glass and popcorn, grab your laptop and spend your night with funny cats and unlikely animal friends. It's even better alone because there's no one there to judge you when you drunkenly snort-laugh.

13. Write.

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Even if you don't fancy yourself much of a writer, there are a ton of books and resources out there which will have you itching to pick up a pen. Even if it's just for yourself, writing can be such a therapeutic activity, and the perfect way to while away some alone time.

14. Go to a museum or art gallery.

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These are always better to visit on your own, because you can go through at your own pace, stop when you need, and skip the sections you're not interested in. If you're not an ~art~ kind of person, just go along and stand in front of paintings murmuring words like "juxtaposition", "conceptualisation", "linear construction" and "optical resonance" and you'll have everyone fooled.

15. Hang out with an animal for a day.

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If you can't bear the idea of solitude, but also don't want to be around people, get an animal. There are a few cities who have dedicated dog-borrowing companies, where you can hire a pooch to hang out with for a day. If there's nothing like that near you, maybe you have a friend in need of your pet-sitting services.

16. Get into a podcast.

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Podcasts are great because you can listen to them while walking, driving, doing chores, at the gym, or even just when you're lying on the couch. You've probably listened to Serial, just like everyone else on the planet. But there are so many other great ones, for a huge number of different interests. Here is a list of some great ones to check out. Load up your phone and start listening.