How is your New Year's Resolution going so far?

Steps to New Year’s Resolution Success


By: Nicolette Howells

Fact: In an article published in April 2002 in Journal of Clinical Psychology (Vol. 58, No. 4), University of Scranton psychology professor John Norcross, PhD, noted that readiness to change, or how prepared a person is to enter the action stage of behavior change, is the single best predictor of New Year’s resolution success.



Consider these 6 tips to help you find success in your New Year’s resolutions.



Start small. Resolutions that are attainable are ones you think you can keep. Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing one night of eating out a week with a meal at home. Once this is successful, you can set your next healthy eating goal.



Change one behavior at a time. Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time, making replacing them with healthy ones difficult. This will take time. Don’t get overwhelmed by changing your entire routine. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.



Rise and sing. Set your iPod or alarm clock to wake you with your favorite song so you start every morning humming a happy tune. Music is a great stress-buster, especially when you listen to songs you really like. Waking in a good mood will help you feel motivated and confident that you can reach your goals.



Take a breather. When your job or kids are driving you crazy, go somewhere quiet, close your eyes, and count backward from 10 to zero, taking one deep breath for each number. Relieving your stress is an important step in keeping to your goals.



Find laughter. Laughter is a powerful stress reliever. It can soothe your mind and keep you in a positive mindset. Calling a funny friend or watching a comedic video or show for just 15 minutes can help soothe your mind.



Don’t beat yourself up. Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal. Everyone has ups and downs, the key to success is to resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.



Information taken from the following helpful links:



WebMD



APA Help Center