Experts say January can be a good time to reflect on self-improvement, but acknowledge it takes work to make resolutions stick. Here are some tips for how to keep those resolutions when your willpower starts to falter.
Psychologist Lynn Bufka suggests being realistic about any resolutions. Behavioral health experts recommend breaking ambitious goals into smaller targets, like swapping at least one snack for fruit and vegetables or getting some exercise for 10 minutes every day.
Once you start hitting these smaller goals, the bigger one might not seem so daunting. Bufka said that simply thinking more positively about what your ultimate goal is — and what you're gaining from your changed behavior — can bolster your motivation. In a group of more than 1, people, scientists found the most popular resolutions involved exercise, weight loss and eating habits. Other resolutions focused on self-improvement, personal finance issues and ways to focus on mental health and reduce stress.
Involving others in your efforts, both for support and to hold yourself accountable, may also help. Someone who decides to start exercising more, for example, might find it useful to join a running group or find a gym class with friends, to make training less of a chore.
Experts also recommended scheduling time into your calendar to help you keep your resolution, like blocking off a specific period every morning or evening. There will inevitably be times when it feels impossible to keep your resolution or you want to give up.
