Forget Resolutions
New Year Solutions
I hope the world ends in 2018 so I won't be held accountable for my 'New Year Resolutions'
-anonymous
If you're looking to turn over a new leaf in 2018, you're not alone. In a recent survey from YouGov, the online polling firm, nearly 70% of people said they were making New Year's resolutions to set themselves new goals for the coming 12 months.
Here are the top five most popular resolutions for 2018.
- Eat better — 37 percent
- Exercise more — 37 percent
- Spend less money — 37 percent
- Self-care (e.g. getting more sleep) — 24 percent
- Read more books —18 percent
Although most of us make resolutions, it is estimated that only 8 percent of us keep our New Year's resolutions. There are many reasons people can't stick to their resolutions, from setting too many of them to getting discouraged by small failures. Many people use the New Year as a chance to make large bucket lists or attempt extreme transformations, whether personal or professional. Setting overly ambitious and restrictive goals is a worthy ambition, but the average person has so many competing priorities that this approach is doomed to failure. Basically, shooting for the moon can be psychologically intimidating, many times resulting in failure to launch in the first place or giving up after just a short period of time.
A more sensible approach is to set "small, attainable goals throughout the year, rather than a singular, overwhelming goal," according to psychologist Lynn Bufka. "Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time," Bufka adds.
Small, incremental changes may feel less sexy, but they have a much greater chance of creating real change. According to Dr. Roberta Anding, a registered dietician and nutrition professor at Baylor College of Medicine, moderating your resolutions could be the difference between giving up in February and creating a lasting lifestyle change.
Keep it Simple
When setting goals for a new year, we suggest making them simple and health-related. Your health is your most important asset, investing in your body and your sense of well-being is what self care is all about.
Here are some health-related ideas for your resolutions that can improve your health and well-being. (As a side benefit don’t be surprised if these suggestions help you lose weight.)
1. Sleep more.
Commit to those eight hours. Proper shuteye is linked to better mental health and a lower risk for physical health conditions. Read more to learn more about sleep health benefits and how to get a better night’s sleep.
2. Cut back on sugar.
It’s challenging but it can be life changing if you succeed. Here are a few tips on how to break the sugar addiction.
3. Drink more water.
Believe it or not 75% of us are dehydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces of healthy water every day. Here are some tips for staying hydrated.
4. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables offer more benefits than fruits in terms of vitamins and minerals with fewer calories, but fruits are a place to start if you don’t get much of either. The best way to get more fruits and veggies is to cook more meals at home with unprocessed foods. This also decreases sodium, sugar and calorie intake, said Dr. Freedhoff. “If you focus on cooking more with fresh whole ingredients, that will lead to an increase in fruits and vegetables,” he said.
5. Become Portion Control Savvy
Maintaining a healthy weight requires a balance between what you consume and the energy you use. Being portion control savvy means you are satiated, energized and in control. Here are 6 easy tips to help you make healthy portion choices every day, all day.
6. Spend time in the sun, but not too much.
Not everyone has this option year-round, especially in northern latitudes, but take advantage of what you can. Light helps your sleep and mood, being out in the sun increases your likelihood of physical activity and sunlight is the only natural way to get vitamin D.
7. Say “no” more often.
Burnout is real, and it can happen in a blink of an eye. Make sure you’re prioritizing yourself and are not saying “yes” to everything asked of you because it feels like an obligation. Self care isn’t selfish.