Get psychology on your side – and keep those New Year’s resolutions
Has the idea of making New Year’s resolutions lost its shine? Guess what: it’s possible you’ve put too much pressure on yourself – and not given your mind enough responsibility for helping you out. This year, tap into the power of your mind to increase the chances of making those new year resolutions stick. These seven tips can help.
1. Use beginnings
New starts (such as a new year, week, job, house or baby) are naturally attractive for resolution-making as they bring to mind the idea of a natural fresh start. So, use the new year, Mondays, a job change or the birth of a new child for good!
2. Make it convenient
If something is convenient, we are much more likely to want to do it. Stamp on the voice that tells you to go for a “nicer” gym in a whole different suburb to your normal life. Choosing one that’s on the way to work or short drive from home will make it more convenient to fit in those workouts.
3. Be specific
Does "get healthier" mean eating more veggies, increasing your sleep quality, improving mental health or something else?
4. Create a plan
Resolutions aren't lofty wishes. Building on small, concrete steps helps make them a reality. This ties into point 3. Once you know the end goal, it’s simpler to put together strategies to make it happen. For example, if improving your sleep quality is the goal, you may stop watching Netflix in bed and read a book half an hour before bed instead.
5. Give rewards
Plan little joys to help you through. Careful with the food trap though! A good idea is to go for experiences over treat food; think a walk with a podcast and takeaway coffee; or snuggling up with a movie on a weeknight.
6. Careful with willpower
Some believe that self-control is a finite resource we should use carefully to avoid willpower burnout. What this can mean is that at a certain point, after so much “denial” we snap and eat all the proverbial cake! Instead, don’t be so strict on yourself.
7. Pair it up
Help a new resolution stick by connecting it to an already existing activity or habit; such as doing 10 squats while you brush your teeth, or leaving your vitamins by the coffee machine so you see them in the morning.