Realistic Resolutions (And How to Keep Them)

New Year’s resolutions have been documented for thousands of years, although the types of resolutions have changed over time. Recent surveys show that fewer than 10% of Americans actually stick to their resolutions. This means that the other 90% tend to give up.

This time of year can be stressful for many people due to the increased demands of the holiday season. Creating< practical and realistic resolutions for the new year doesn't have to be another source of stress.

Here are a few things to think about when creating realistic resolutions for the new year:

Make your goals tangible and easy to track.

This way, you can observe your progress along the way. Instead of saying ‘I am going to reduce my soda intake’, consider saying ‘I am going to reduce my soda intake to 2x weekly’. Instead of saying ‘I am going to exercise more in the new year’, consider saying ‘I am going to exercise for 30 minutes 5x weekly’. By assigning a number to your goals, you can track your progress and identify any necessary adjustments.

Pick resolutionsthat work for you and that will improve your life.

Choosing a resolution because your friends or social media is doing it isn’t going to set you up for success. You’re more likely to stick to your resolutions if they are connected to personal goals that are meaningful to you. Choose a goal that will improve your overall quality of life or help you move closer to other life goals.

Frame your resolutions in a more positive way.

Instead of saying: “I want to stop eating ultra-processed foods because they are bad for me.”

Consider saying: “I want to start incorporating more whole foods that will help nourish and fuel my body.”

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that ultra-processed foods are detrimental to the body. But it may be more helpful to reframe your resolution so that you understand why you have chosen this goal. To use food as medicine and to nourish and fuel your body.

Sometimes, less is more.

Picking a few resolutions (2-3) to work towards in the new year may be more impactful than a list of 10 resolutions. While it is great to enter the new year excited and ready to make changes, it is essential to be realistic about what we can accomplish. We may find that creating a long list of resolutions leads to burnout more easily and results in not sticking to any of them. In contrast, someone who makes two thoughtful resolutions can devote more time, energy, and attention to those resolutions and is more likely to adhere to them for a more extended period.

If you create a few realistic resolutions for yourself, but life gets in the way, and you’re unable to stick to them, give yourself some grace. Acknowledge what happened, and use it as a learning experience to see how you can grow and do things differently in the future. If life happens and you’re unable to stick to your resolutions, who says the only time you can make resolutions is on January 1st? Consider making monthly or quarterly resolutions! This might help you keep track of your progress and identify areas where you need more support. You can keep an eye on things and make changes easily, as opposed to waiting until the next new year to start over!

If you are looking to make changes to your health this year but don’t know where to start, consider scheduling an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors. We can help you prioritize where to begin, provide you with referrals and resources for optimal success, and walk alongside you on your journey to better health. And if you find it challenging to stick to the plan, that’s okay. We are here to help make the necessary changes to set you up for success.

References:

https://www.almanac.com/history-of-new-years-resolutions

https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/