With 2023 upon us many people are setting goals to embark on the New Year with a fresh mindset.
If you are among those who set resolutions for self-improvement, please consider carefully if these resolutions will be beneficial to your physical and emotional health and your general wellbeing.
Set yourself goals, task and treats to fulfil your year, however, remember to be realistic and set softer goals that are attainable and sustainable.
Read more: NI counsellor's tips to help maintain positive mental health
It can be helpful to consider improvement rather than change and reframe rigid resolutions to intentions for the year. Here are some suggestions to attain your goals.
Start small. Make simple resolutions you will be sure to keep. Such as if you aim is to get physically fit, aim to exercise 1-3 days a week rather than 5-7. By completing this you will gain a sense of achievement perhaps pushing you to up your goal.
Take it slow and have patience. Change one behaviour at a time. Habit and behaviours develop over time therefore replacing unhealthy behaviours with healthy ones.
Talk about it. Explain to your circle just what you are aspiring to achieve. For example, if your goal is to cut down on alcohol intake, explain to friends you may not be socialising in bars etc for a while but are happy to do other things. Make a list of wholesome activities you could use as replacements.
Keep it social. Consider joining a local group to reach your goals or buddy up with a friend with the same intention. Sharing your struggles and successes can make your journey much easier, having social support can also keep you motivated.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Perfection is unattainable. Sometimes things pop up and you may fall off the wagon, that’s ok. Apply the 80/20 rule. Make self-care a priority and remember moderation is key.
Seek support if you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Counsellors are trained to understand the connection between the mind and body.
They can offer strategies on how to achieve your goals as well as exploring your feelings and emotions that surround them.
Finally, celebrate your strengths and achievements as you go. You are enough.
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