How to Turn New Year’s Resolutions into Habits

Everyone has a favorite New Year’s resolution. It may be the same one they make every year. What happens when the good intentions fall by the wayside? What makes it so hard to stick to a resolution? If despite your best intentions your yearly resolutions seem to disappear before Valentine’s Day, there is a way to turn those well-laid plans into habits. Start by giving yourself a break: it isn’t a lack of willpower.

Resolution to Habit

Good habits exist so we don’t have to constantly fight temptation. For example, instead of resisting eating a doughnut every morning for breakfast, form the habit of starting out your day with a healthy meal. Before you know it, it’s become routine and doughnuts don’t even cross your mind. The keys to successfully forming habits are knowledge and planning. Together, they help you build successful patterns lasting a lifetime. If you’re already thinking about your resolutions for next year, here’s how to make sure they become enduring habits.

It takes about 66 days to form a habit, so look for support wherever you can find it:

• Set Clear-Cut Goals: It’s great to say “I want to work out more” or “I’m going to eat healthier,” but go one step further by specifying how, when, and where you will take action. Set reminders on your phone, post-its, or calendar – they’ll help keep you on track.
• Be Realistic: Make practical resolutions and break up a long-term goal into shorter, more manageable ones. It will make the process easier to stick to, and it will feel more rewarding as you meet each goalpost.

• One Thing at a Time: Don’t resolve to change all your “bad” habits at once. If you’re looking to get fit, then give up smoking, join a gym, or eat healthy, but don’t try to do them all at once. Once you’ve established one healthy habit you can move on to the next.
• Team up With a Friend: You don’t have to announce your resolutions to the entire world, but sharing your goal with one good friend can help you stay motivated. Shared accountability and encouragement goes a long way in reaching goals.

New Year’s or Bust

Changing your behavior doesn’t have to be restricted to the start of the New Year. You can get started any time. Remember, lapses are frequently part of the process. Sound like too much work? The good news is people who make New Year’s resolutions are nearly 10 times more likely to achieve their goals.

If you think something more may be holding you back, talking it out with a Las Vegas therapist can help. A therapist can help you see problems in a new way, lend emotional support, and offer the help you need to turn your New Year’s resolution into a healthy habit. Contact Kayenta Therapy Centers today to schedule an appointment or call 702-438-7800.