This year, instead of proclaiming something as sweeping as swearing off alcohol until 2020 or going on a vegan diet, it is more effective to structure and focus on achievable resolutions which will impact positively on your well-being and life.
For most of us, the beginning of a new year is a time to reflect on how our lives have been progressing and set out goals for our self-improvement and personal advancement. While it is very easy to make resolutions, it is not as easy to keep them. So, what can we do to give ourselves half a chance of keeping to our New Year resolutions?
Set Realistic Goals
Most people find it hard to stick to their New Year resolution because they set their goals too high, causing them to make excuses when they fall short. If for example, your goal is to eat healthy in 2019, instead of resolving to quit junk food and not take a bite all year and only eat home cooked meals, a more realistic goal would be to resolve to limit the intake of junk food to twice a week and stick to that decision.
Setting modest and achievable goals will help you stick to your resolution better.
Do you want to eat healthier?
Set the target at eating in moderation which is more attainable. Gradually eat better with time.
You want to lose weight
First, seek the advice from a nutritionist or medical doctor. It is inadvisable to fast and starve yourself, thus jeopardizing your health in the process. Afterwards, you can choose a regime you’re comfortable with.
You resolve to exercise regularly
You can start with a gym membership subscription, but this does not guarantee that you will follow through with regular attendance and exercise. Often, people lose the will and motivation after a few months. It is important to set small achievable goals like taking walks in the evening around your compound or neighbourhood and then add other exercise routines that you can stick to.
You are determined to reduce your stress level
Modern living attracts a ton of stress. Most of us are stressed out and would like to take the necessary steps to reduce our stress levels. Stress affects our quality of life and it is therefore important that we learn better ways to avoid it.
One way to achieve this is to resolve to undertake tasks we cannot avoid instead of putting them off. Leaving tasks unattended to makes us subconsciously dwell on the pending task, which leads to more stress and anxiety. It is important that we organise our selves with respect to our work, home, and leisure. In organizing ourselves, remember to break down your resolution into smaller goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Resolving to quit addictions
Are you a smoker or an alcoholic? Your New Year resolution may be to quit smoking or drink less. A good number of smokers resolve at the beginning of the year to quit but many fall through because nicotine is addictive. And smoking is a habit often associated with stress relief. sSo, to beat the addiction, fashion out a realistic plan of how to deal with stress without cigarettes.
Also, figure out your stress triggers and take steps to address them.
On the other hand, reducing your alcohol intake may require you to address your social life. Resolving to drink in moderation, like not more than 3 beer bottles a week or a glass of red wine every other day, may help you keep to your resolve to take less alcohol in 2019.
In summary, when making your New Year resolutions, stick to realistic and achievable goals