Setting Achievable New Year’s Resolutions
Each year, we are faced with the false pressure of making New Year's Resolutions; why would a personal goal made for the new year arbitrarily manifest as starting a diet, exercising more, or just generally changing our habits in ways that may not be attainable, or sustainable? In a culture obsessed with the “new year, new me” mentality, how can we take realistic steps that don’t overwhelm us? Here are some important things to remember:
Have compassion for yourself: Resolutions are an artificial construct for facing the things you want to improve, and require self-compassion and realism.
Take baby steps: The goal is to make a reasonable plan for baby steps in your self care progress; attainable changes that you can build on that are sustainable.
Be intentional about your choices: It can be helpful to meditate on your resolutions before you set them. Ask yourself: what is the end goal of each resolution, and why do I want to achieve them? It can provide some perspective and realism into the process.
For those who don’t know where to start, here are some small steps you can take to make attainable changes for sustainable wellbeing:
Focus on doing little things to improve your mental health, like starting a journal, meditating, picking up a hobby, and/or limiting your screen time.
Increase movement, whether that means working out once a week, making the conscious decision to walk more instead of taking public transportation, or even stretching for five minutes each day. Or sign up for a fun exercise app that meets your needs.
Drink more water. A little change like using a reusable water bottle can help you understand your consumption better and allow you to set a realistic goal.
Commit to a morning and/or nighttime routine. It can be as simple as making your bed every morning and reading for 20 minutes before bed each night.
If you need help creating a realistic health plan for the new year, feel free to set up a Functional Medicine consultation with Dr. Geary.
