Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions January 4, 2008
Posted by Cobus in Health.add a comment
I’m not one for new year’s resolutions… simply because I’ve learned that in most cases it remains an intent that doesnt materialise – it doesn’t go any further than the pledge, and eventually fades as we again get caught up in “life-as-usual.”
Nevertheless, and article I read on Scientific America by Charles Q. Choi – 5 New Year’s Resolutions You Owe Yourself – made me rethink my view… especially if it involves quality of life. New year’s resolutions like this I support, but only if it translates from intent to action.
The author of the article questioned health professionals and investigated the scientific literature in a quest for the most life-enhancing new year’s resolutions possible. The introduction states…
On New Year’s Day more than a few of us annually resolve to change our lives—or at least our more self-indulgent habits. On the hunch that all good things flow from physical and mental well-being, Scientific American Body offers this list of recommended resolutions based on the advice of health professionals and the scientific literature. Whatever your goals, it will help you understand why hardly anything you could choose to do would have a bigger impact on your quality of life.
- Stay Active
- Eat Healthy
- Quit Smoking
- Drink Appropriately
- Relieve Stress
In the article, health psychologist Frederick Gibbons of Iowa State University is cited as saying…
New Year’s resolutions are notoriously unsuccessful because people have a superficial commitment to them. Whatever behavior you want to change requires a specific plan for going about it.
I couldn’t agree more! For the complete article, visit http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=5-new-years-resolutions-you-owe-yourself&page=1. All the best with your resolutions! But remember, a resolutions is only a statement of intent… action will make it happen.
