“Happy New Year” or “bliain nua shona”!
It’s the start of a brand new year, having dusted away the cobwebs of last year and the post-Christmas celebrations, it is time to start preparing for the year ahead, often starting with New Year’s Resolutions!
The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions has been with us for some time now; considered by some people as an opportunity to better themselves from the previous year. It allows you to make a commitment or promise to do something different, more, or even less depending on the circumstances.
The majority of people see this as an opportunity for a clean slate and opt to do something outside of their comfort zones or to enhance their general well being. Here are a few of the most popular New Years Resolutions.
- Improve your physical well-being: This one is particularly important for those who might be more vulnerable or have greater health concerns. Eat healthy food, exercise more, lose weight, drink less alcohol and quit smoking, and you’ll see the benefits quickly!
- Better your financial standing: Get out of debt and try to save money where you can. In addition, keep track of your spending.
- Work on your mental well being: Think positive thoughts, and try to enjoy life and laugh more often. Laughter has long been considered as “the best medicine”.
Turning Resolutions into Habits
New Years Resolutions are fantastic ways of setting out your annual goals, however for them to truly succeed you need to encourage yourself to turn them from a resolution into a habit. Once this has happened, you will complete the relevant action with far more enthusiasm and determination as you complete the task on full auto-pilot, and carry out the change without even thinking about it.
To get you started, here are 5 tips to help guide you into the transition from Resolution to Habit:
- Take control of your surroundings: Firstly, place constant reminders of your new resolution somewhere you will see every day. Consider a place where it will be easy for you to action your resolution. After that, you’ll be more inclined to act on it.
- Consistency is key: Secondly, ensure that your resolution is actioned under circumstances that occur frequently. This will help reinforce your new resolution and help transform it into a habit. For example, why not aim to fulfil your resolution every morning as you eat breakfast? That way, you’ll associate the two and never forget one!
- Don’t rush, be patient: Successful resolutions aren’t completed and made successful overnight. Allow yourself the time to adjust and make the resolution stick in your routine.
- Prepare to adapt: Don’t be disheartened if at first you don’t succeed. Build on your setbacks by changing the circumstances of your resolution to better your chances of success. Try to steer clear of any negativity, as this will only slow you down.
- Persevere: The majority of people who take out new resolutions tend to quit or fail within the first 30 days. Sometimes this is caused by negativity, peer pressure or fear of failure itself. Keep a positive mindset and persevere and you’re sure to succeed!
