Eat Healthy? Check. Start exercising? Check. Control Anger? Check.
Making a New Year’s Resolution list is a considerably easy task. You can curate an endless one, including all your deepest desires and ever-changing goals. The difficult part is actually sticking to it. Come February, and almost everyone gives up on their resolution. However, you must keep in mind that resolutions help you to reflect on the past year’s mistakes and setbacks. It should provoke you to make a promise to improve and bring about positive change in 2017. Hence, make sticking to your new year resolution, a resolution. Challenge yourself and watch it work wonders. By making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance that you will keep them throughout the year. Here are some tips when thinking about a News Year’s resolution:
Put Pen to Paper
By putting your goals on paper, you are more likely to achieve them. Merely make mental vows never helps in building enough willpower to keep going.
Practise Positivity
Use positive language rather than negative demands when thinking about doing your resolution. For example, rather than thinking “I don’t feel like going to the gym”, think “I always feel so much better for going to the gym and I love that feeling.” Highlighting the benefit to you is far more motivating than focusing on the negatives.
Make A Slow Start
Make resolutions that are worthwhile. If your aim is to exercise more frequently, book three to four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you want to eat healthier, try replacing sugary sweets an apt substitute like fruit or yogurt, rather than seeing your diet as a form of punishment.
Take Baby Steps
It takes time to replace unhealthy behaviour. Don’t get anxious and think that you have to make a large change in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time. Take advice from others and understand what’s good for you.
Be Open
It helps to share your goals and feelings with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a boot camp group at your gym or a group of colleagues quitting smoking. Having people to share your struggles and successes with makes the journey much easier and less frightful.
Go Easy on Yourself
Fulfilling every resolution is difficult. Don’t give up completely because you ate a cookie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; ensure that you recover from your mistakes and get back to business.
Hold a Helping Hand
Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen, strengthens your ability to cope with stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists can offer strategies as to how to adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviours and address emotional issues. For booking a session, visit:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html
Review Your Progress
Look back after a couple of months and see how you’ve been doing. Try to fix anything in which you’re lacking. For instance, if your resolution was to go to the gym three evenings a week, perhaps you haven’t been sticking to it because you always work late. Try going in the mornings instead. Making a minor adjustment could be the key to success.
Celebrate
Remember to celebrate your successes, but make sure the way you celebrate doesn’t go against your resolution. Enjoy happiness in another form. You deserve it!
