Healthy Resolutions

I think we can all agree that no one will miss 2020. And although nothing physically changes with a new year, it’s a huge mental relief that we can say goodbye to one of the worst years of our lives. Many are taking this time to reflect on what we can change by making resolutions. New year’s resolutions are great for our mental health because we are able to set realistic goals that motivate us to be more productive. It almost forces us to look back on what we failed to do in the past year and how we can improve our mental health. These can include getting more sleep, re-organizing priorities, and eating healthier (which has links to positive mental health). 

Common resolutions include getting in shape and quitting smoking. Studies show that 1 out of 20 smokers are successful in quitting after the new year. Those who are successful report making several attainable goals rather than one overwhelming goal of “quit smoking.” This is true for any new year’s resolution - breaking it down into multiple steps makes it easier to actually follow through. And while this may seem like a slower process than intended, you will have more benefits and success in the long run. 

So, what should healthy resolutions consist of? 

Positivity and optimism

• Don’t beat yourself up if you fail to complete a task or goal. Try and evaluate where you went wrong and adjust accordingly. If you need to break down a specific goal into even more steps, that’s okay. Be proud of yourself in the fact that you’re taking the steps in the right direction.

​Step by step process

• Breaking down each resolution into an attainable action plan is the most important for success. It doesn’t matter how many steps there are as long as it fits your pace and aligns with your lifestyle. One person’s action plan can include 5 steps while others may include 20. Never compare your progress to anyone else’s because you are unique in your experience and your goals. 

Patience

• It’s important to have patience with yourself. Don’t get discouraged if you fail in a step - this can lead to a desire to quit altogether. Just remember that we won’t get it right every time, but as long as we’re honest with ourselves, we can push through no matter what. 

Replacement of unhealthy habits to healthy ones

• Try to eliminate unhealthy coping mechanisms and replace them with healthy ones. For example, if you bite your nails when you’re anxious, try to drink water or tea instead so you have a physical object to hold onto during the day. Just know that there are many different alternatives to our habits.

Whether it be personal or professional goals, making resolutions is important for our mental health. They give us a reason to deal with issues that we may have been avoiding. For work especially, it’s important for us to learn how we can overcome stress and anxiety. We may sometimes feel that we have less control in our work lives compared to our personal lives. But this is far from the truth - you have complete control over how you handle work stress. Next time you’re feeling anxious about a project, try to take some time to breathe and remember that you can tackle anything that comes your way. After all, you didn’t get the job for nothing. 

References
Walsh, R. A. & Paul, C. L. (2002). New Year quit smoking resolutions. Journal of Public Health, 26(2), 181-182. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-842X.2002.tb00915.x

Welch, A. (2020. How to make healthy attainable new year’s resolutions during covid-19. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-make-healthy-attainable-new-years-resolutions-during-covid-19