Podcast Summary
Sticking to New Year's resolutions can be a challenge: Set realistic goals, break them down, seek support, and approach resolutions with a positive mindset for better chances of success.
While many people make New Year's resolutions with excitement and determination, sticking to them can be a challenge. According to a Forbes Health poll, the average resolution lasts under 4 months, and almost a third of people give up within 2 months. Despite the difficulties, some people continue to set goals for the New Year, while others prefer not to make resolutions at all. Regardless of whether or not one makes a resolution, the thought of setting goals for personal growth and improvement is a common theme for the start of a new year. For those who want to make resolutions that stick, it can be helpful to set realistic goals, break them down into smaller steps, and seek support from friends or community. Ultimately, the key is to approach resolutions with a positive mindset and a willingness to learn and adapt along the way.
New Year, New Goals: Common Resolutions and Importance of Movement: New Year's resolutions often revolve around fitness, finances, mental health, and personal growth. Aim for 150 minutes of moderately intense activity weekly for fitness. Consider if weight loss is a separate goal or part of fitness.
The start of a new year serves as a cultural marker for many people to make a fresh start and pursue new goals. According to a YouGov poll, 37% of people make New Year's resolutions, with the most common resolutions being related to fitness, finances, mental health, weight loss, and diet. A shift in thinking from "exercise" to "movement" can help people meet their fitness goals, which should include about 150 minutes of moderately intense activity each week. However, it's important to consider whether weight loss should be lumped in with fitness goals or treated as a separate resolution. The pressure to make a fresh start can come from both internal and external sources, including personal desires and external influences like advertisements and companies selling products. Ultimately, it's essential to choose goals that are meaningful and right for each individual.
Adopt healthy behaviors for overall well-being instead of focusing solely on weight loss: Instead of focusing solely on weight loss, prioritize healthy habits like eating nutritious foods, reducing alcohol intake, practicing mindful eating, and improving mental health through manageable steps like making time for play, connecting with friends, and practicing mindfulness techniques.
Instead of focusing solely on weight loss as a New Year's resolution, it's more beneficial to adopt healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, reducing alcohol intake, practicing mindful eating, and avoiding distractions while eating. Additionally, improving mental health is a worthy goal, but it can be overwhelming. A better approach is to break it down into manageable steps, such as making time for play, connecting with friends, and practicing mindfulness techniques like focusing on the five senses when dealing with anxiety. Overall, prioritizing healthy habits and mindset over strict weight loss goals can lead to long-term benefits for both physical and mental well-being.
Anxiety as a warning system and financial health's importance: Anxiety serves as a signal for potential issues, while financial health is crucial. Approach debt with self-compassion, understand why goals matter, and ensure they align with personal values for long-term success.
Anxiety can be seen as a signal from your brain, alerting you to potential issues that need addressing. Similarly, financial health is crucial, and dealing with debt should be approached with self-compassion rather than shame. While making resolutions can provide a fresh start, it's essential to understand why we choose specific goals and ensure they resonate with us for long-term success. Anxiety functions as a warning system, indicating potential threats or concerns that need addressing. Financial health, on the other hand, is vital, and dealing with debt requires self-compassion rather than self-shame. Most people struggle to keep resolutions long term, so it's crucial to ask ourselves why we've chosen particular goals and ensure they align with our values for sustainable progress.
Setting clear, achievable goals using SMART: Reflect on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals or intentions for a fulfilling and stable New Year
Setting clear, achievable goals can help us focus on what truly matters and bring nourishment to our lives. Marielle Segarra, host of NPR's Life Kit, suggests using the SMART acronym (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) when setting goals. If a big goal doesn't feel right for the year, consider setting intentions instead. Marielle shares her intentions for the year: staying grounded and listening to her intuition. By paying attention to our feelings and acting accordingly, we can make decisions that bring stability and fulfillment from within. So, this New Year, take some time to reflect on your goals and intentions, and make decisions that bring nourishment and stability to your life.
