Healthy New Year!

Fog and smog aren’t the only things in the winter air; hope and high spirits are in this celebratory air too. With updating calendars from 2022 to 2023, it is high time to update our habits and lifestyles too. There are several new year’s resolutions that you should definitely try!  

Unfortunately, as soon as the first week ends, many start to slack and fall behind our deadlines or personal expectations. Then, it becomes hard to stay motivated, and the idea of “New Year, Better Me” never gets actualized. But this year doesn’t have to be like previous years. You can make 2023’s resolutions into 2023’s achievements with just a few tips.

Tip 1: Identify the Minor Milestones.

You don’t have to climb Everest in one try. Start with a smaller hike and build stamina first.

Many of us make big resolutions every new year, and there’s nothing wrong with aiming high. The only downside is: Keeping yourself motivated with a hugely daunting task on the to-do list is hard. Big tasks are a big reason many of us procrastinate too. To solve this, make an action plan. Break down the larger goal and start small. Make and accomplish the minor milestone. If you want to gain or lose weight, make a small goal of a few kilograms for the first two months. If you are starting a new diet, first incorporate it into one meal and slowly switch.

Tip 2: Remember the ‘why’.  

Making a change and development isn’t easy, but ‘why’ you want to make that change can be an excellent fuel to keep you pumped. Research suggests that people are more likely to achieve their goals if they have intrinsic motivation. If you have decided that it is time to change your diet, and there are moments when the non-veg options allures you, remind yourself why you are picking a vegan/vegetarian diet. Whether you are playing your part in building a greener world or trying to lose some weight to keep heart disease at bay, frequently refer back to YOUR ‘why’. Making a change requires constant commitment, but your ‘why’ will keep you on track to your goal.

Tip 3: Celebrate Your Wins.

Extend the idea of celebration from the new year to the wins, no matter how small of an achievement. Our brains are designed to perform better when offered positive reinforcement. When small successes are acknowledged, our brain releases the feel-good hormone – Dopamine.

Dopamine improves self-confidence and a sense of pride. But dopamine’s perks aren’t limited to self-image. It also sets off reward centers in our brains. So, when you celebrate your two blocks run with a little star on your calendar or treat yourself to a spinach casserole. The high dopamine levels will encourage you to repeat the behavior. Instead of seeing another lap as a hassle, you will condition yourself into thinking, “One more lap, and then I’ll have my casserole!”

And yes, it is easy to guilt yourself into ignoring your wins because of minor slips, but a win is a win, and it is worth celebrating; are you running one additional lap even after cheesy pizza for lunch? Celebrate the extra lap win!

You can use small steps, consistent intrinsic motivation, encouragement, and a self-pat on the back to make healthy new year resolutions stick long enough to translate them into healthy habits. We at The Farmette wish you a Happy AND Healthy New Year!