How To Make Those New Year’s Resolutions Stick!

Whether you are trying to stop a habit or create a new one, sticking to resolutions, especially the New Year’s kind, is notoriously difficult to do!

Here are some tips to help you make your New Year’s resolutions last all year round!

Build up your self control

Researchers have found that willpower is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger your resolve becomes. So, if you are trying to quit smoking, for example, certain psychiatrists suggest practising other forms of willpower at the same time, such as avoiding sugar in your coffee or squeezing a stress ball until you can’t anymore.

Take baby steps

If your intention is to lose that extra ‘Christmas padding’, then start off by scheduling three or four days per week for exercising, rather than seven days a week. This allows you to build up your momentum both physically and mentally.

Make one change at a time

If you have a long list of resolutions for the year, pick the most important or urgent one and start with that. Once that is under control, add another. Keep doing this and eventually you will achieve them all. If you try to start everything at once, you may find yourself overwhelmed, especially with resolutions that require changing more than one habit, such as a weight-loss programme.

Share

It has been said that sharing your experience with friends and family can help keep you on track. Talk to those close to you about how you are doing, your fears or frustrations, your achievements and milestones. Often talking out a problem or concern makes it less intimidating and easier to achieve.

Cheer yourself up

Make sure to lift your spirits with other enjoyable pastimes, such as watching a comedy youtube clip or film, or listening to your favourite tunes. Keeping yourself merry has been said to greatly add to the success of those implementing some form of self restraint or willpower.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

Everyone slips up once in awhile – we are human, after all. Don’t let that one sneaky chocolate or missed gym session get you down. Everyone has their ups and downs; what’s important is that you get back up and carry on – that is true success!

Never give up

Keep going, and don’t lose sight of your end goals! Don’t be proud – ask for support from friends, family or support groups. We can’t always do everything on our own.
Good luck and believe in yourself! Make 2017 everything that you know it can be!