RAPID CITY, S.D. — It’s a new beginning, page one of 365, and a time where many people wipe the slate clean with new goals for the future.
These New Year’s resolutions are a common practice.
A 2017 study showed that more than half of all New Year’s resolutions are health-related, and another third are related to work and finances.
Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Manlove says as the days lengthen and spring approaches, people look to the future and the opportunity to turn over a new leaf.
Studies show that around 80% of these resolutions fail – but why?
Dr. Manlove says, “I think one problem people have is that they make resolutions that are too big.”
He says the key to making changes is to be realistic and start with small, doable activities.
“‘I’m going to exercise an hour a day and it’s going to be running.’ Well, maybe you’re trying to run the first day and you haven’t run for six months, and the next day you don’t really want to run at all because you’re sore. Or maybe you can’t even do an hour and then you say, ‘well, why? Why should I even bother?’,” Dr. Manlove says. “I say one minute, let’s start there and build on that.”
Dr. Manlove suggests setting attainable goals in each of the five major areas: exercise, diet, mindfulness, socializing, and sleep management.
“I think strategizing is a fabulous idea, and so I think those five things are all important things to set goals with.”
It’s also helpful to enlist the help of a partner to stay accountable to those resolutions.
Happy New Year!
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