How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions This Year

The New Year is right around the corner, closing out the holiday season. If you feel inspired by the start of a brand new year you may be setting goals or resolutions. Setting goals to create a better lifestyle is great, but for many, New Year’s resolutions simply do not work. Here is why New Year’s resolutions do not work and how you can actually keep New Year’s resolutions this year.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Do Not Usually Work

90% of all New Year’s Resolutions do not work. Too often, New Year’s Resolutions are unattainable, pie-in-the-sky goals that set people up for failure. The problem with New Year’s Resolutions is they are based on changing habits, but instead of taking the steps to change old habits and create new ones, many people make their New Year’s resolutions too broad.

Here is a popular example many of us have heard. “This year I am going to exercise more,” or “This year I am going to eat healthier.” Sound familiar? Although these are both wonderful New Year’s resolutions, the problem is these New Year’s resolutions are not specific enough.

Instead of creating general statements, break New Year’s resolutions down into small, actionable steps that you can work on every day. Here are three of the most commonly made New Year’s resolutions and actionable steps on how you can achieve each one of them in the New Year ahead.

New Year’s Resolution #1: Eat Better

Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to eat better, make a list of small, actionable steps that will all add up to help you create a more wholesome daily diet throughout the entire year. For example:

• After the holidays, I will find a creative, delicious, and more mindful way to repurpose leftovers. (Handcrafted bone broth, anyone?)
• I will meal prep once a week so I am never left without more mindful food choices.
• I will host a meal prep party twice a month with family, friends, and neighbors so I am always stocked with healthy meals and snacks.
• I will make a more mindful homemade lunch and bring it to work four days a week and will only purchase my lunch once a week

These examples are all action-oriented, and you know exactly what you need to do to accomplish them. On their own, they may seem simple, but stick to them over time, and they will help you reach your main goal of eating better in the New Year.

Need some better-for-you recipe ideas? Check out these tasty homemade recipes for every meal of the day. Snacks included.

New Year’s Resolution #2: Exercise More

Whether commuting to work or sitting at a desk at the office, many people sit a lot during the day. This year, one of your New Year’s resolutions may be to exercise more, so make a plan and find more ways to move mindfully throughout the day. You could:

• Go to one new workout class at a local studio at least once a month. You can even bring a friend if you do not want to go alone.
• Go for a walk every afternoon during your lunch break or explore your neighborhood after dinner with a short evening stroll. Bonus points for bringing man’s best friend for some fresh air. (Do not forget the homemade pet treats).
• Workout one extra day per week and do not forget to properly refuel.

Tip: It is best to create actionable steps that are quantifiable so you can assign an exact number to them, so whether it is two days at the gym or five days, quantify whenever possible.

New Year’s Resolution #3: Sleep Better

 Sleep is super important and it is probably safe to say that most people would really like to get more of it each night. This year instead of making a New Year’s resolution to get more rest, be realistic and take steps to clock quality sleep each night. Here are some ways you can get more sleep every night

• Curl up with a cup of hot decaf tea and a good book or write in a journal before drifting off to dreamland or take a few deep breaths to calm the nervous system before heading to bed.
• Power down all technology one hour before bed. That includes cell phones, computers, and televisions.
• Take a warm Epsom salt bath or soothing shower to wash away the day.
• Try some light stretching or a gentle yoga practice before climbing into bed to destress and unwind.

Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions This Year

Instead of creating big New Year’s resolutions this year, try a new approach by creating small, actionable steps that will help accomplish the larger goals for the entire year ahead. Happy New Year everyone!