Have you made those New Year’s Resolutions yet? How well did you do with keeping last year’s?
We have all been there. We clink that champagne glass at the stroke of midnight, and make all sorts of resolutions for the exciting year ahead. Then, we pack away the Holiday decorations, get to paying the enormous Holiday bills, and by February or March, that expensive home gym you bought has become a clothes hanger!
What can you do to try to keep all of those good intentions? Here are our “Top Five Ways to Make New Year’s Resolutions That You Can Keep.”
- Start small
Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.
- Change one behavior at a time
Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.
- Talk about it
Share your experiences with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a workout class at your gym or a group of coworkers quitting smoking. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.
- Don’t beat yourself up
Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.
- Ask for support
Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to manage stress and anxiety caused by your resolutions. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the connection between the mind and body.
Happy New Year!
What do you think of these New Year’s Resolution keeping tips, are there some others you would like to share?