At the dawn of each New Year, about 45% of Americans make New Years’ resolutions. These resolutions most frequently include resolving to loose weight, get more sleep, exercise, stop smoking, and stop drinking. Since only an estimated 8% of Americans who make New Year’s Resolutions are successful in keeping them, it is important to develop motivational methods for achieving these extremely common resolutions.
Resolution: Lose Weight
Losing weight is one of the top New Year’s resolutions, and it is seemingly one of the most difficult to achieve. The trick to attaining this goal is to set a target weight loss number for yourself and have it be realistic. You should also plan out how you are going to lose the weight by establishing a weekly diet and exercise routine and have a deadline for meeting your weight loss goal. As nutritional expert Kristin Kirkpatrick states, having additional motivators like a work-out buddy and being mindful of how and what you eat are important factors in reaching your weight loss goal. You can also get physical and loose weight other ways too like gardening, biking, working outdoors or cleaning.
Resolution: Get More Sleep
In a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has been found that 1 in 3 adults do not get sufficient sleep. Many people lose sleep due to life distractions and worries. Those who are resolved to get more sleep can try natural methods (such as relaxation yoga or listening to soothing instrumental music) in order to increase their body’s urge to rest. Having a consistent sleep schedule, even on days off from work or school, can also help individuals get sufficient amounts of sleep.
Resolution: Exercise
About 2/3 of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions make fitness resolutions. However, the majority of these people do not succeed with their goals due to lack of motivation and time. Establishing a reasonable workout routine and having a workout buddy can help keep people motivated to succeed. Also, using cell phone apps that track daily physical activity can be helpful in staying inspired.
Resolution: Stop Smoking
Every year, many people resolve to stop smoking, yet some fall back on this habit. The best approach to stopping is to develop a plan for quitting. Having a set date for quitting and making loved ones aware of this plan are crucial steps toward success, as is spending time figuring out what triggers the drive to smoke. Various medications for fighting nicotine addiction are also available with a written doctor’s prescription. Quitting cold turkey often proves ineffective, so having insight from a doctor, support from friends and family, and knowing what other free resources are out there can help with sticking to this resolution.
Resolution: Stop Drinking
As with smoking, many people make their New Year’s resolution to stop drinking yet struggle to uphold this resolution throughout the year. One of the first steps in resolving to quit should be learning about the health benefits of quitting and what damage excessive drinking can do to the body and mind. Establishing a solid support system and reaching out to different community-based resources are extremely important steps in maintaining sobriety. There are also a number of apps available to help individuals track their sobriety goals.
Originally published at medium.com