New Year Resolutions

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the happenings of the last 12 months and make small, manageable changes to your daily routine which will ensure the next year will be even better. Contrary to some beliefs around the success of New Year resolutions, a 1989 study published by Clinical Psychologist, Dr John Norcross, found that 40-44% of participants had kept up their New Year resolutions six months into the year and 19% of these were still successful two years on.

To select the perfect New Year’s resolution, you could start by making a list of the highs and lows of the last year and highlighting any areas where you feel like you could make changes to improve them. From there, this list can be shortened until you have a smaller, manageable number of changes which you can apply to your daily life. For some this could mean focussing on one area alone, perhaps selecting the one which you think you may feel will be most challenging or have the biggest impact on your life, such as stopping smoking. For others, New Year resolutions may be related, such as eating healthily and exercising more, and these can be brilliant to tackle simultaneously.

But once you’ve worked out what you want to change and how, how do you ensure you are successful?

3 TIPS TO HELP YOU STICK TO NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

–          Create specific goals

Regardless of the area which you have chosen to improve, you need to be specific in what you’re going to do. A 2018 study published in the Personality and Individual Differences scientific journal found that having vague goals can lead to more psychological distress and therefore, are more difficult to stick to. Instead of resolving to lose weight for example, you should give yourself a target to reach within a set time frame, which gives you something solid to work towards. You should think about the specific changes you can make in your life to achieve this goal, whether that’s batch preparing healthy meals for the week in advance or freeing up some time in the morning where you can go for a run; the more specific and realistic you can be the more likely you are to achieve.

–          Create a manageable daily routine

An effective way to be successful in achieving your goals is not to create resolutions, but to create habitswhich will soon become a natural part of your routine. Some of the most common New Year resolutions are health related and, a lot of the time, you need to factor the additional time these take into your daily routine. For those of us whose goals are to achieve better health all-round, skincare is an easy area to fit into your daily routine, making positive changes without disrupting your day.

Restoring moisture to your skin doesn’t just result in smoother, nourished skin but as the body’s biggest organ, this is a great way to improve your overall health with very little time. Malée’s Conditioning Body Cream can be applied instantly after every shower or bath to help restore and lock in moisture, whilst leaving skin silky smooth but not greasy. Containing 100% natural ingredients which are high in vitamins and rich in essential fatty acids, your skin will be beautifully hydrated and cared for, ensuring the protective barrier is working at its best. An incredibly simple to step to add into any daily routine, smart and simple skincare offers a great way to improve your overall physical health.

–          Don’t be too hard on yourself

A 1989 study published in the Addictive Behaviours scientific journal found that those who reported feeling less self-blame were the most successful in keeping to their New Year resolutions. Dr John Norcross’s study on the success of New Year resolutions also found that 53% of participants slipped up at least once but this didn’t have an effect on their success rate. So, if you do slip up try not to let it affect you, your goal can still be reached.

If you’re struggling to be consistent in your approach or find that your stress levels are starting to rise, relaxation is great way to add balance. Meditation, reading or taking a warm bath can help with both physical and mental relaxation, calming your mind and body, and leaving you ready to continue striving to reach your goals. For those who find a warm bath to be their preferred method of relaxation, Malée’s Moisturing Oilis a great addition. It contains natural essential oils and vitamins A, B, D and E sourced from plants such as avocado, coconut and wheat germ, which are scientifically proven to nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving you feeling fresh and smooth. Allowing you to take care of your skin whilst you relax can also boost your self-confidence, reducing stress levels and preparing your body to respond more effectively the next time it is under stress.

CONCLUSION

New Year resolutions should be carefully thought and about and selected, allowing you to concentrate on something you wish to improve without disrupting your daily routine. By thinking of these as habits instead of resolutions and having a structured plan with clear goals and targets we are more likely to succeed. Although slip-ups and stress can occur, simple relaxation techniques can be used to control stress levels, ensuring you are successful.

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