So, how has your New Year been? Now that things are slowly returning to normal, our determination to fulfil all those New Year resolutions may be fizzling out too. This will be more so if the resolutions are ambitious and the list is very long.
If we don’t achieve anything or even start a few by the end of the month, they may be gone forever. So how do we keep the fire burning and determination running?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), by making your resolutions realistic, there’s a greater chance that you’ll keep them throughout the year.
APA offers these tips for those contemplating News Year’s resolutions.
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’d like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.
CHANGE ONE BEHAVIOUR AT A TIME
Unhealthy behaviours develop over time. So, replacing unhealthy behaviours 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 co-workers quitting smoking.
Having someone to share your struggles and successes with will make your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.
Source: NST
