With Christmas behind us, it’s time to start thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. The problem is, of course, that we have yet to follow through with a single resolution thus far. This year, however, we have science on our side and we’re ready to take on 2023 with resolutions we can actually stick to. Need a little inspiration? Here are the top resolutions people make each year with a little advice from researchers about what our resolution should sound like instead and how we can achieve our goals.
Ditch the resolutions of “lose weight” or “eat healthily”, instead focus on getting more sleep. Research has shown that getting enough sleep keeps those unhealthy food cravings at bay because we aren’t looking for fast and cheap ways to get a boost of energy. Getting ample sleep also means that you aren’t dragging throughout your day and that you aren’t experiencing nearly as much brain fog or trouble concentrating.
No more “going to the gym more” resolutions, instead commit simply to moving more. Regular moderate exercise and getting enough sleep will do wonders for your body and improve your health immensely. This may look like taking the stairs at work, parking farther away when you go places, and making it a priority to hop on the treadmill a few days a week. These seemingly small changes will turn into big results in no time.
Don’t utter the “d” word, diet. Instead, find a healthy way of eating that both works for you and has been approved by the experts. We have some beef with diets because they promise big results in a small amount of time, and sure that sounds great, but it’s no way to live. Maybe consider a diet rich in proteins and veggies and low in sugar, but also understand that the world will still go on turning if you eat a cookie or slice of pizza.
Whether you want to stay more productive or experience less burnout at your current job, make a resolution to take more breaks. No more skipping lunch to finish a project, no more hours on end spent looking at a screen, instead take a few minutes to get up, walk around, step outside, drink some water, eat a snack, whatever will recharge you throughout your day, do that. Experts say that for every 2 – 3 hours of focused work, you should take a 20 – 30 minute break.
How to Stick to Your Resolutions
Know why you’re making the resolution in the first place.
Don’t try to go overboard and set wild expectations for yourself, instead set simple, specific goals.
Make sure your resolution is achievable.
Understand that you will slip up, and that’s okay. The trick is not to give up when you inevitably have a rough go.
And lastly, be patient with yourself.