The all-famous “What are your New Year’s resolutions?” question has already likely come up. And, we all know how that goes. A recent study by a psychology professor at Scranton found that about 40% of Americans have a list of things they want to change in the new year, but less than half of that 40% will actually stick to their resolution and be successful. Setting expectations and failing to achieve the “all new you” bar you have set could have an effect on your mental health.

new year's resolutions

Realistic Resolutions

Making resolutions are great when they are attainable. Ever hear the adage “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” An elephant itself is pretty overwhelming, but when you shrink the expectation and make it feasible, then success inevitably follows. Let’s take a look at some ways you can set yourself up for success in the new year.

  1. Be specific. Goals such as “lose weight” and “exercise more” are very general, and it may be difficult to create a plan of action when there isn’t much clarity.
  2. Make it reasonable. Using the examples above, how many pounds do you want to lose? How many days a week will you exercise? How long will you exercise?
  3. Reward yourself. Create milestones along the way where you reward yourself for sticking to the plan. For example, a massage for being consistent in your workout routine for two months. Little rewards along your journey will keep you motivated to keep going to the finish line.
  4. Have a support system. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and motivate you.
  5. Adult counseling. The last year has definitely changed our way of life. If the thought of going into a new year is worrisome to you or you are just flat out dreading it, speaking to a counselor can be helpful.

Setting realistic goals gives you a greater chance of succeeding. Avoid unattainable goals that sound a bit far-fetched. No one likes to fail. When you set goals that are out of reach and then don’t achieve them, it’s disappointing. If you are already struggling with mental health issues like depression, this can actually worsen your symptoms.

Happy New Year from Garrett Counseling

Give Garrett a call today and see how we can help you start the New Year off right! Click here or call us at (256) 239-5662. New Year’s resolutions aren’t right for everyone, but whatever you decide for you, our staff from the center for counseling in Huntsville, Jacksonville, and Boaz wish you a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year.