RESOLUTIONS 2023

FEATURE Resolutio

How is your new year’s resolution coming along? If you are still going with your resolution well done, personal challenges are the hardest yet also the most rewarding.

The standard line from “the mental guru’s” is that many of our bad habits can be attributed to underlying issues hidden deep in your soul, I prefer to think of them as things that I enjoy that I know are not ideal for my health. Knowing that, if I am ready for change or wish to break the cycle of my bad habit I may need some tools to help me along the way, so here are some tips you may find useful.

TIP 1.

Concentrate on what you are gaining rather than what you are giving up.

Write down the benefits of breaking the habit, you should see enough upside to make it worthwhile, change for change sake is not a big motivator so understanding how the change will improve your life is important. If you write this down and refer to it often you can keep your eyes on the end result.

TIP 2.

The all or nothing

The all or nothing question. A change can mean an improvement, some vices you may need to eliminate entirely like smoking, but others you can simply cut back, chocolate and alcohol for example. Just ensure you set some goals in relation to cutting back- 2 biscuits instead of 5, light beer instead of heavy beer. A reduction is not as difficult as an elimination.

TIP 3.

Be realistic

If you have a serious bad habit or addiction the chances of you quitting alone are far less than if you seek help from your GP and get support from friends or family. Big habits need support and accepting this help will assist in achieving realistic goals.

TIP 4.

Rewards.

If you can achieve your goal for one month, go and celebrate in some way. If you have saved money by indulging less use that money to reward yourself, new clothes or dinner, you need rewards to help keep your focus. Don’t stretch the reward so it’s too far down the track, ensure that’s it coming around soon, its great motivation.

TIP 5.

Never give up giving up.

If you have a setback it’s not the end. If you have done well for a month then lapse for one day don’t let that be the end of the journey, get straight back the horse the next day. Remind yourself of your victories and take another look at your goals.

NEW YEAR NEW YOU

o s 2023 NEW YEAR

TIP 6.

Strategy.

You may look at your social scene and know a few people who may not share your enthusiasm for change. Seek support from those you know your can trust and for those who may try to lead you astray have a strategy in place for those comments or moments that may compromise your goals. Avoiding people who may endulge in the habit you are trying to kick is not necsassarrily the answer, you may find staying away distressing or anxiety provoking which may be worse than your initial habit, and you will at some time have to face them, so get a plan and stick to it.

TIP 7.

One thing at a time.

Don’t try to break many habits at once, it’s hard enough dealing with one habit let alone two or three. This is also important for your mental attitude. Breaking habits and changing is not easy, you may need to work through some stress, anxiety or uncomfortable times in order to achieve your goal so take one challenge at a time. Good luck, believe in yourself and remember it doesn’t need to be new year’s eve to make a commitment for a better you.