Are you planning to set yourself some health goals for 2023?
There’s an ominous statistic suggesting that only 12% of people who make resolutions successfully achieve their aims. We wondered why, so we did some research to find out what actually helps people to stick to their plans.
We want you to feel healthier, happier and fitter in 2023, so don’t get discouraged – read on!
Here are our tips on making effective changes in the New Year.
- Pick just one area of your life that you want to improve. Don’t get too diffuse – concentrate on one thing to make it manageable.
- Enlist support – even if it’s online, a small team backing you and witnessing your progress can be really effective at keeping you on track.
- Be really specific about what you want to achieve. Set yourself a target date.
- Think about your motives and find the most compelling. What will feel different when you’ve achieved it? Who is it for – for example, who will notice the change in you?
- Plan for success by writing down the nitty gritty of the everyday: how much, how long, methods, times, dates? The more concrete you can make your plans, the more you’re priming your mind to make them happen. Think round issues which might prevent you from achieving what you want and plan for them. The key is flexibility.
- Be realistic about what you can do in your chosen time frame. Don’t leave room for self-sabotage. Challenge yourself on ‘All or Nothing’ thinking.
- Rewards are psychologically important. Don’t let yourself fall into a ‘deprivation mindset’. Nobody likes being punished! Incorporate nice things into your plan: they don’t have to be food and drink related, of course. A social event, a walk in the countryside, a new item of clothing are all inventive ways to celebrate.
- Keep a record of your journey. It’s encouraging when you find you’ve made progress and compare where you were to where you’ve got to.
- Good luck!
The Best of the Blog 2022
And lastly, here’s a chance to revisit our five most popular blogs this year. They’re worth a re-read because we pack them with tips, videos and exercises.
- Relieve Back and Neck Stiffness
- Strength Training For Over-50s
- Back Pain From Gardening
- Getting Older Does Not Cause Back Pain
- Why Do Joints Crack?
Don’t forget to book in for a check up soon. Happy New Year!