Every year, the calendar rolls over to January. A new year, a fresh start. That’s the idea, anyway. In reality, about 80 percent of people fail to maintain their New Year’s resolutions, and the majority give up by mid-February, according to the U.S. News & World Report. So why don’t more people make good on their resolutions? The consensus among psychologists and researchers is that people either lack clarity or set expectations too high.
And it’s understandable. As the year progresses, it can be hard to keep up the enthusiasm that comes with the season of confetti and cocktails. But it’s not impossible. This year, pick a healthy new year’s resolution that you can keep long after the ball drops. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Exercise regularly
Losing weight tends to top the charts every year. If this one’s on your list, be honest with yourself: will you really run ten miles a day for twelve months? If that’s a hard “no,” set a more realistic target. Reasonable fitness goals with achievable milestones will help you feel better in the long run. And if you hit the mid-February slump, try buying new workout gear at Dick’s Sporting Goods or Famous Footwear. A 2012 study by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky found that the clothing we wear influences our behavior. This means, yes, workout clothes can motivate you to exercise.
Eat healthier
You don’t need to do a crash juice cleanse every January to improve your health. A review from Harvard indicates that, although some types of juices have health benefits, there’s no research to support juice cleanses or fasts’ safety or efficacy. So, instead of making drastic changes in January, incorporate small ones throughout the year, like swapping potato chips for apple slices or soda for a Veggie Vitality from Jamba Juice at the Cascade Village Shopping Center.
Stay in touch
Feel like you lost touch with friends and family last year? Good news: social distancing doesn’t have to be synonymous with social isolation. Keeping in touch with people is beneficial for your health. Really—it’s science. According to a 2010 study by PLOS Medicine, a lack of social relationships can damage your health as much as alcohol and smoking—and even more than inactivity and obesity. Luckily we live in the digital age where keeping in touch is easy from any connected device. Need to upgrade your connection? AT&T has the largest 4G network, plus the latest smartphones and tablets.
Cheers to healthy new year’s resolutions
The point is: if you’re looking for new year’s resolutions you can stick to, be honest and reasonable with yourself. You don’t have to change your entire lifestyle to feel better this year. No matter what your goals are, the Cascade Village Shopping Center has the stores to help you stay on track.
