Tackling New Year’s Resolutions
It’s that time of year where most of us are contemplating changes we can implement to better our lives. Often these changes include weight loss, increasing exercise, quitting smoking, healthier eating, handling finances better, and many more. Despite the best of intentions, New Year’s resolutions often don’t become a permanent change in our routines. When we realize that we’ve failed to meet our goals, our mental health can be negatively impacted. Utilizing a plan of action, a positive attitude, and a support system can help us to turn our resolutions into solid life changes.
Steps we can take to ensure success are:
(1) start small – don’t make your goals so large that it will be impossible to meet them.
(2) focus on one behavior – attempting to change multiple behaviors becomes overwhelming and often leads us to give up.
(3) Verbalize your intentions – bring your friends and family on board, some may join you in your goals while others will support your efforts.
(4) Don’t be so hard on yourself – change takes time, allow yourself to make mistakes and don’t use them as an excuse to give up.
(5) Be Consistent when you start to become inconsistent - When you don't follow through with your resolution one day, pick it right back up the next day. This will develop consistency and patience with yourself along the way.
(6) Ask for help – accept help from those who you’re close to. When you’re struggling with reaching your goals and the ensuing negativity, reach out for help from those whom you trust or from a professional mental health provider. Outside perspectives can help you develop new strategies and coping mechanisms to achieve the changes you want in your life.
Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern and Charity Loring, LMSW
Loring Therapy LLC
loringtherapy.com
Adapted from the APA Online Publication, “Making your New Year’s resolution stick.”
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx
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