Tips to stick to your New Year’s resolutions

Many people look to make positive changes in their lifestyle around the start of the New Year in the form of resolutions, but not everyone sticks to them.

Dr. Victoria Burns, director for the University of Calgary (UCalgary) Recovery Community and Recovery on Campus Alberta, has some tips to stick with your goals.

“It’s really important to start small, and to have a plan,” Burns said.

Many people find the start of the new year a time in which it’s easier to make life changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, or cutting down on alcohol.

Burns, who is also an addictions specialist and professor at UCalgary says whatever you decide to change, the first step you need to take is a small one.

“I think the first step is to acknowledge that any behavior change is difficult. So, I think that folks often set themselves up for failure because they tried to do an all or nothing approach to behavior change and it’s really important to start small, and to have a plan,” Burns said.

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She adds your plan could involve analyzing your reasoning for why you want to change, evaluating how your life could improve with change, and setting short term and long term goals to work towards.

Having a specific reason or motivator for change is extremely beneficial according to Burns, because when things seem not achievable, it can serve as a reminder as to why you want to make the change in the first place.

Burns says an all-or-nothing approach just doesn’t work for most people, and that it’s crucial that you’re kind to yourself.

“Most importantly, is having that self-compassion. Because if we just feel down on ourselves and shameful, that’s not going to be a great lever to get us back into trying to change our behaviors longer term.”

Having a positive support system is another important step towards making the changes you need in your life, because long-term change doesn’t happen overnight.

Lastly, Burns says whatever you decide to change in your life, it’s important to realize you’re not alone.