When we set big, overwhelming New Year’s resolutions, we also set up the expectation that we’re going to turn over an entirely new leaf and that sets us up for failure.
In reality, real change requires incremental changes to ensure the change becomes habitual.
It takes any time from 21 days to 8 weeks to change habits.
Small and realistic incremental changes that are sustainable and create accountability help. Rather than saying…I am going to learn a new language / lose weight / go to the gym every day etc.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolution after just one week. And only 19% of individuals were able to stick to their goals long term (two years, in the case of the study).
We’ve put together a list of realistic changes you can begin to prioritise each day that will become habitual if practised daily and help improve your mental well-being.
It’ll be worth it.
Prioritise what’s important to you
- Meaningful relationships
- Focus on your health
- Remove toxic stress and stressors from your life
- Invest in yourself and activities that are stress reducing
- Judge yourself and others less
- Actively spend phone free time
- Notice one thing daily you are grateful for
Listen to the full episode on RTHK here.
