DAYTON, OhioWDTN) – Many will set new goals to achieve at the start of the new year, but experts suggest it might be better to create lifestyle changes rather than making resolutions.
Only 9% of people who make a New Year’s resolution make it to the end of the year, according to a research study.
With such a low success rate, Dr. Michelle Bettin, a psychologist at Texas A&M University, suggests setting goals that focus on incremental lifestyle changes.
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“A lifestyle goal is something you incorporate into your life,” Bettin said. “So it becomes a part of what you do, and it just becomes a little bit more natural, a little bit part of your daily life.”
People often set resolutions that are too general, like “lose weight, exercise more, or save money.” Bettin recommends breaking down these big concepts into smaller, realistic goals.
These types of goals are often called SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
“If you’ve never run a mile in your life, you won’t commit to running a marathon this year,” Bettin said. “But you can commit to starting walking three times a week for 15 minutes, or starting walking with a few minutes of jogging during walking, and then progressing from there.”
Bettin said the key to building new habits is to be consistent, especially in the beginning.
As you face these gradual changes, show kindness and compassion to yourself, Bettin said.
“Giving yourself, again, a little grace, recognizing that every day is a new day,” Bettin said. “Every meal is a new meal. Every moment is a chance to try to do a little better, to do something a little more for yourself that makes you better, the best you.
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