How to Make
New Year’s
Resolutions
That Will Stick����
by: Melissa Gallanter; Eric D.Griggs, M.D.
New Year’s resolutions are easy to
make when the year ahead feels like a
fresh start. But once the year starts up
and life gets in the way, it gets harder
to keep those resolutions. So here are a
few suggestions that will help make those
resolutions stick throughout the year:
TAKE SMALL STEPS
One of the biggest reasons why goals
set in January don’t usually last until
December is that people often set goals
that aren’t reachable. Rather than setting
a goal to cook every meal at home during
the week, plan instead to start cooking at
home every Thursday. Make each objective
a small step in the path you want to
take, paired with a plan on how you’ll get
to that point.
MAKE BEHAVIORFOCUSED
GOALS
If you make a resolution with a specific
intention in mind (for example, setting a
target of losing 30 pounds), formulate a
workable plan that will help get you there
(for example, walk for 30 minutes after
dinner each night). This type of goal is
more likely to stick and it is easier to feel
like you can handle it. Focus on what you
can do rather than what you want to see
and the results will follow.
SUPPORT OTHERS AND SEEK
SUPPORT
Social support is also so important.
Research shows that people’s health
behaviors tend to be similar to the
behaviors of their friends and family. By
supporting your close friends and family
in their healthy behavior changes and
enlisting them to cheer you on and keep
you on track with your goals, everyone
involved is more likely to stick with it.
TAKE IT SLOW
Be forgiving of yourself and give yourself
time to reach your objectives. Making
changes is hard and it may take a few tries
to get it right. The first day that the goal
doesn’t stick, don’t lose hope! It takes a
long time for changes to be made. Having
a plan for getting back on track if you start
to slip can be a helpful tool also. If you
feel like you’re losing motivation, remind
yourself of why this goal was important
to you in the first place and find the way
that works best to encourage yourself to
keep going.
New Year’s is a great opportunity to
think about what changes you can make
for a healthier life. Wishing Y'all a healthy
and happy New Year!
Health
Talkin'
with
Welcome to “Health Talkin’
with Doc Griggs.” In conjunction
with the Xavier University
School of Pharmacy Health
& Wellness Center, we will
discuss topics that we find
most relevant in our community.
Our shared goal is to
help you Get Checked. Get
Fit. Get Moving!™
Resources:
nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/the-keys-to-keeping-your-new-years-resolutions
newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/12/making-your-resolutions-stick
apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx
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