How to Make Strategic Resolutions and Sustain Your Goals
Resolutions and the holiday season go hand in hand, which is something of a paradox. We binge during the holidays and then we’re supposed to suddenly commit to changing all of our bad habits.
The statistic that most people give up on their resolutions before February is well known, and maybe it’s because of people making sudden changes to their lifestyle rather than small everyday changes.
After the winter holidays come a few other big seasonal milestones: Valentine’s Day, when you might want to look good for a loved one, and then before you know it spring has arrived and bikini season is right around the corner. Summer ends, and sure enough, we’re headed right back into Thanksgiving! Embracing healthy changes year-round can give you the confidence to tackle all these seasons, and head back into the next new year with a set of resolutions you know you can actually achieve.
Here are tips and tricks on how to stay balanced over the holiday season and beyond:
5 tips for staying balanced during holidays
Don’t skip meals in anticipation of a big meal
Be mindful of what you drink
Propose group fitness activities like hiking, walking, yoga and games
Take mental health breaks to reduce stress
Prioritize sleep
5 tips for achieving resolutions the rest of the year
Keep the big picture in mind
Link the new habit you want to build to an old habit
Do a little every day
Track your progress
Reward yourself
Forbes also suggests these new science-based approaches that might help with keeping resolutions.
Reduce stress - helps exert greater self-control
Talk to yourself - use self-talk to motivate and encourage yourself
Get exercise - boosts executive function and higher-level cognitive processing
Partner up - people you are with influence your ability to demonstrate willpower
Express empathy - considering your impact on others motivates your own choices
If you struggle with compulsions and one of your resolutions is to lose weight, consider working with a chef to curate meals that will help you reach your goal without compromising taste.