Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

Did you make your new year’s resolutions?  I decided against making them in the midst of so much uncertainty during Covid lockdowns. But I’m up for it for 2023. I’m a big believer in not making them too early – who wants to quit alcohol or start a new fitness regime after partying the night before.

I think the second week of January – or even the end of January – is a good time to turn over a new leaf. Otherwise, I’m doomed to failure before I even really start.

Much like half the population. A  in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that 54 per cent of people who made New Year’s resolutions were unsuccessful.

But if that’s a rather depressing figure, the same study found that just 4% of people who did not make resolutions were successful at achieving their goals, So, setting an intention is better than not.

And remember that it takes a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit.

Another study unsurprisingly found that the most popular New Year’s resolutions are about self-improvement – 23 per cent resolve to live healthier, 21 per cent want to get happier, 21 per cent want to lose weight, one fifth plan to exercise more, 7 per cent aim to quit smoking and 2 per cent want to reduce drinking. Other top resolutions were about career goals and improving personal relationships, getting organised, learning a new skill or hobby, saving money, travelling or reading more.

A common mistake many of us make is being overly ambitious. Psychologists advise us to make a short list of resolutions that we can manage in the upcoming year. Focus on your top priorities while being realistic about how much time and attention you can devote to achieving that resolution.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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