New Year’s Resolutions: Supportive or Stressful?
Just the other day a client asked me my opinion about New Year’s Resolutions… And as I commonly respond, well, it depends!
I think utilizing a meaningful time to observe and shift our intentions is wonderful… I really appreciate the power of taking a pause to reflect on our values and then evaluate if our daily life is in harmony with these standards. Living a life in dissonance is disruptive, stressful and can perpetuate various states of dis-ease. If the turn of the Gregorian calendar to a new year offers you the space for this contemplation, GO FOR IT! If you prefer to make micro-adjustments every week, that’s wonderful too. My point is however you can make time to pause, evaluate your routine and create a life with purpose and intention, please do.
Now, what is all too common are unrealistic goal setting habits without any tools or resources in place. This can also create stress – it’s like running a marathon without any training! That will set you up for injury and feeling defeated.
So, here are some ideas to stay on track:
-Talk to your tribe about your goals – they can hold you accountable and encourage you when you feel down. They may even want to join you and working in a team increases our chance for success.
-Choose one or two specific habits – gone are the days of “I’m going to lose weight this year”. It’s too vague and there are no actionable steps. Try, “I will make breakfast with fiber, healthy fat, and lean protein”, “I will prepare my meals on Sunday for the work week” or “I will meditate for 15 minutes 5 days per week”. You will feel the benefits and they are DOABLE tasks.
-In regard to dietary changes, add more and take away less – no more deprivation diets please! How about adding more healthy fats like avocado, coconut milk, nuts and seeds, adding leafy greens to replace starches or adding a meal planning routine. Be kind to yourself – try a dietary change that adds nutrition rather than taking away something you enjoy.
And remember, this sort of practice is so individualized – use what works for YOU! Try to not fit into someone else’s idea of what healthy looks like. Let’s make this the best year yet, with healthy habits and a strong self-care routine! We’ll be cheering you on…