2019: New Year’s Resolutions
Do you make resolutions each and every year? How long are you able to keep these good intentions going, and are you successful? Here are some ideas to better achieve your new year goals!
- Recognize change is a process. It is an accumulation of small steps that lead us to a better place. To start your journey, consider the “smallest” change or step you can take. For example, if you want to eat healthier, consider reducing one of the unhealthy things you are eating. Fast food? Cut back the frequency. Excessive sugar or salt? Read labels and buy sweet and salty snacks that have less sugar and salt than what you previously ate. The purpose of this strategy is to do away with less without completely cutting out all the items you like to enjoy.
- Progress is always 2-3 steps forward and 1-2 steps back. Don’t expect to move forward or stick to your healthier habits without fail. If your goal is to exercise regularly, it’s not the end of the world if you miss a day. Just try and do it the next day. Success doesn’t require you to “stay on the wagon”, but if you fall off, get back on!
- If at first you don’t succeed, lower to bar! Success is not achieved in leaps and bounds. If you have set your goals too high, and cannot be successful, you have nothing on which you can build. Lower the bar, reduce your goal or definition of success. (This is a step, not an end in itself). Success in sequential “baby steps” adds up to one big change!
- Make sure there is something to look forward to in the future. Find something enjoyable or a way to make this new habit more interesting. Some ideas might include exercising with a friend or posting interesting cooking photos online. Remember the song “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down?.” Find something fun and enjoyable that helps you look forward to engaging in your new habit.
- Lastly, be kind and patient with yourself. Give yourself credit for trying. Give yourself “partial” credit, meaning recognizing what you have done to change your habits, even if you haven’t accomplished everything you set out to do. Be as kind and forgiving of your own shortfalls as you would to the person you love most in the world.
Best wishes for 2019 from all of us at Ketamine Wellness Centers! We love to hear stories of your success! Remember, our multidisciplinary staff is here to assist if you are still struggling!
Dr. Ellen Diamond is the Clinical Psychologist for Ketamine Wellness Centers
