Many will be setting new goals to achieve at the start of the new year, but experts suggest it could be better to create lifestyle changes instead of setting resolutions.
Only 9% of people who set a New Year’s resolution make it to the end of the year, according one research study.
With such a low success rate, Dr. Michelle Bettin, a psychologist at Texas A&M University, suggests setting goals focused on gradual lifestyle changes.
“A lifestyle goal is something that you incorporate into your life,” Bettin said. “So it becomes part of what you do, and it just becomes a little more natural, a little bit part of your day to day.”
People often set resolutions that are too general, like “lose weight, exercise more or save money. Bettin recommends breaking those big concepts down into smaller, realistic goals.
These types of goals are often referred to as S.M.A.R.T. goals– specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
“If you never have run a mile in your life, you’re not going to commit to run a marathon this year,” Bettin said. “But you may commit to start walking three times a week for 15 minutes, or starting to walk with a few minutes of jogging in the walking and then kind of build up from there.”
Bettin said the key to build new habits is to be consistent, especially at the start.
As you navigate these gradual changes, have kindness and compassion for yourself, Bettin said.
“Giving ourselves, again, some grace, recognizing each day is a new day,” Bettin said. “Each meal is a new meal. Each moment is a chance to try to do just a little bit better, to do something a little bit more for yourself that makes you your better, your best self.”
(Allison Gens – WDTN)
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