5 science-backed ways to keep any new year's resolution

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5 5 Science-Backed Ways to Keep Any New Year’s Resolution

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Post on 15-Feb-2017

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55Science-Backed Ways to Keep Any

New Year’s Resolution

Ever wondered why it’s easy to say no to the donut at breakfast, but not so easy to say no to the bag of chips while watching TV that afternoon? It’s because we only get so much self-regulation each day, and it gets depleted when used. Focus on one goal, on one thing you want to change for the year, and you’ll increase your chances of keeping that resolution.

1. PICK ONE GOAL (AND ONLY ONE)

Once you’ve picked a goal, make sure it’s not too easy. While it’s nice to have an easy win and tick something off the resolution list, setting the goal-bar too low isn’t motivating. Pick something challenging, specific, and ideally, something you can measure your progress against. Like aiming to add 5 serves of veg into your daily diet, joining a social gardening group twice a week, or adding a 10-minute meditation session into each day.

2. MAKE IT SPECIFIC AND CHALLENGING

Your goal will seem a lot easier when you take something big (like participating in 30 minutes of physical activity every day) and break it into more manageable chunks (like starting with adding 10 minutes of physical activity into your day a few days a week, and increasing this over time). This will also help you keep tabs on your progress, which will add to your motivation mojo.

3. BREAK IT INTO SMALLER, SHORT-TERM GOALS

People and things around you influence how you act. If you want to be more active, surround yourself with active people (check out The CHANGE Project for activities near you). You also need to surround yourself with the right things – cues to remind you of your goal. For example, to increase your physical activity, you could change your computer password to ‘MoveMeMore2017’.

4. PRIME YOUR ENVIRONMENT

You’re less likely to quit on a friend than yourself. Have people around you that keep you honest, like a walking buddy.

[Source: www.greatist.com/live/science-backed-tips-new-years-resolution]

5. ADD ACCOUNTABILITY

Get involved in The CHANGE Project with a wide range of free and low-cost activities to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/change for more info