A certain Mr Einstein once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, yet here you are again in the foyer of the local gym wearing a gloomy expression and exuding an air of dread.
Resolutions are supposed to be about fresh starts, so why do they feel about as fresh and appealing as a week-old Brussels sprout? Because they don’t work, that’s why. You know it, we know it and studies show that only about 40 per cent of people succeed in making their goals stick, leaving 60 per cent of us feeling like failures before the end of January.
Before you address common concerns like weight loss, quitting smoking or fitness, you need to focus on building up the mental resolve to stay the course. Our advice? Leave the New Years resolutions until February and devote this month to little changes that will make a big difference to your willpower reserves.
Here’s how.
1 Let it go
To quote the lyrics of every four-year-old’s favourite Disney song, Let it Go! It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not always easy, but sometimes you have to make a choice to put whatever (or whoever) has been bothering you firmly in the past and focus on the future. Take control of your feelings and own the decision to move on. Whenever you find yourself brooding over the past, switch it up and consciously replace those thoughts with something that makes you happy.
2 Try something new
Fear of failure is one of the main reasons we don’t attempt the things we always dreamed of doing. We encourage our kids to focus on taking part rather than winning, so why not take some of that advice ourselves? This year, it’s time to erase “I can’t” from your inner hard drive. Pick an activity, whether it’s surfing or singing, playing the saxophone or driving a rally car, and book yourself one lesson with a professional. Nobody masters anything on their first attempt but it will show you whether you have potential and if not, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
3 Adopt a pet
Studies show that people who own pets tend to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and suffer less from depression and anxiety. Dog owners spend at least one hour more per week walking than non dog-owners, burning up extra calories and blitzing pent-up stress in the process. If you can’t have an animal in the house for whatever reason, volunteer to walk a neighbour’s dog a couple of times a week (most dog owners will be thrilled to oblige you) and get the kids involved too; interacting with animals boosts kids’ self-esteem and makes them less likely to suffer from common allergies (provided they are not already allergic).
4 Make time
As they saying goes; you have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé. Sure, you may not have a team of assistants and a bottom so famous it had a hit song written about it, but let’s be honest: you could make some adjustments. If you just watched two vintage episodes of Come Dine With Me circa 2009 but you “didn’t have time” to walk the dog or make a veggie soup to take to work tomorrow, then buy a watch, lady.
5 Get organised
A by-product of making time for yourself is carving out some space to get organised. Thoughtful (rather than accidental) multi-tasking is key. How? Lay out your clothes for the morning to avoid wardrobe rage; make a lasagne for tomorrow’s dinner so you can take the kids to the park after work, then do some squats while they fling themselves around the playground. It’s all about smart multi-tasking.
6 Make sleep a priority
Not only does a lack of sleep make us drowsy, grouchy and irritable, it also deprives your body of the time it needs to repair and recover from the day. It might mean missing your favourite TV show for a while (record it) or not eating dinner with your partner if they come home late (it’s not forever) but devote a week to doing everything you can to get more sleep and you’ll feel the benefits. Hitting the sheets earlier can improve your mood, help you fight off colds and flu, boost your memory and help you think clearly the following day. It can even help you lose weight if you drift off before that ‘snacky’ feeling hits at 10pm.
7 Stay hydrated
Dehydration can be the sneaky culprit behind everything from fatigue to weight gain. Simply filling a two-litre bottle with water and downing it in increments throughout the day can reduce your appetite, make you more alert and plump and clear your skin like nobody’s business … for free. If you don’t have access to filtered water at work or on the move, buy a Bobble; these filtered water bottles filter regular tap water as you drink, removing all impurities and contaminants. Herbal teas also count towards water intake so find a brand you like (we love Pukka teas, stocked in these stores) and sip it throughout the day.
8 Make small savings
Whether it’s your morning java on the way to work or a scone at elevenses, the little purchases we make throughout the day add up. Trade your daily takeaway cup of Joe (€2.50) for a сafetière to brew your own at work (€10) and you could save an eye-watering €580 a year. Put the money towards something special for you or your family that you felt you could never afford.
9. Turn clutter into cash
Studies have shown that people find it more difficult to complete complex tasks when they are surrounded by clutter. Making space in your home will not only help to reduce stress, it could also boost your bank balance. Website such as Donedeal.ie and Adverts.ie allow you to upload pictures of your items and sell them online. You’d be surprised how many people are happy to pay for that ancient telephone table you hate or that armchair you inherited from your nan. Try not to be too sentimental; that item you have no use for will be snapped up by somebody who really wants or needs it.
10. Lend a hand
If everybody resolved to help just one person the world would be a better place. In fact, helping others is proven to help boost self-esteem, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. If you have time to volunteer on a regular basis, resources like Volunteer.ie can help you find an organisation where you can really make a difference. If not then look closer to home, find an elderly neighbour who needs their grass cut or their windows cleaned and commit to dropping by whenever you can. If you are naturally shy, volunteering can help you improve your social skills and it also strengthens ties and promotes a feeling of safety within the community.
