Happy New Year, beautiful people!
For many of us, the new year tends to prompt reassessment, leading to changes that enable a healthier lifestyle.
January seems so full of possibilities for growth and fresh starts that it can be quite exhilarating, especially after the typical overindulgences of the holiday season that just ended. In fact, we might tend to go overboard in our zealousness to change, which can ultimately lead to a return to old habits that may not serve us well.
So, let’s make this year different.
Let’s make 2022 a year to approach healthy starts in a way that sets us up for success. Here are a few suggestions for accomplishing that.
Choose one thing to change at a time.
While it’s tempting to plan a complete life overhaul at the beginning of a new year, this method usually leads to failure. It’s just too overwhelming to try to change too many things at once. In fact, it takes at least two months to develop just one new habit—it makes sense that the more new habits you try to create, the longer they will take to stick. And if you don’t see results right away, you’re less likely to maintain that good behavior.
Instead, just pick one aspect of your health you’d like to change. It helps to start with something small, like giving up biting your nails or going to bed 30 minutes earlier. Once that habit becomes ingrained and you are starting to see positive results, then you can start implementing the next change.
2. Let your passion guide you to healthier behaviors.
Let your curiosity guide the way…
If you let your own curiosity lead the way, you can find yourself trying all sorts of new things over the course of your life.
Instead of forcing yourself to commit to unappealing but “healthy” new habits, like giving up sugar or exercising an hour every day, pay attention to what draws you in and let your enthusiasm lead the way.
For example, several years ago, I saw a picture of someone doing stand-up paddle boarding and thought, “Wow—that’s cool!” It led me to take a few lessons that allowed me to really enjoy this new, challenging sport. Similarly, a friend encouraged me to try running 13 years ago (a sport I had despised when I was younger), and I discovered a new passion.
You may conclude that you don’t want to do them forever (I soon found SUP cumbersome), or you could realize you want to make them a permanent part of your life (I still run with a buddy three times a week and love it). Trying something new, guided by your interests, allows you to know yourself better, and it can lead to positive, lasting changes rather than forced habits that you discard once you tire of them.
3. Think of change as a reward.
Saying, “I have to lose 20 pounds” or “No wine for two months” makes these changes punishments—and who wants to commit to that?
Instead, think of the things you do to better your health as rewards in themselves. Every time you add vegetables to your meal, you’re improving your skin and your digestion—and you’ll feel better. Getting at least seven hours of sleep will give you more energy to do the things you want to do the next day.
I do functional movement exercises a few times a week so I can move through my day without discomfort. I never dread doing them because every day without pain is a gift. One of my favorite moves for keeping my hips and knees nimble is the wishbone:
Place a beachball or similar-sized rubber ball on the floor against a wall or sofa. With your back braced against the ball, squat as low as you can, pressing your knees to each side, for at least 30 seconds. (Your bottom should be well below your knees if you’re doing it right)
As you reassess your health goals at this time of year, why not set yourself up for success in your endeavors? By choosing one thing to change at a time, letting your passion guide you to healthier behaviors, and thinking of change as a reward in itself, you are more likely to stick to your resolutions and enjoy the ride along the way.
Written by Carrie Rossenfeld