Readiness to change is key factor in keeping resolutions
Being ready and willing to change is the biggest factor influencing the success of January resolutions, according to one wellness expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Meg Baker is the director of UAB Employee Wellness, and she says that where a person is in the stages of change can predict how successful they will be at sticking to a goal.
"Readiness to change is a big factor," Baker said in an article on UAB's website. "Based on the stages of change model: precontemplation (unwilling to make a change), contemplation (considering lifestyle change) and action, you have to want to change your lifestyle to successfully improve your health."
How to prepare for a lifestyle shift
Many people set health-related goals at the beginning of each year, and in order to reach them, Baker suggests the following:
- Focus on short-term goals that are realistic for your lifestyle and schedule.
- Enlist a family member or friend to help keep you accountable - this will increase the likelihood you achieve your goals.
- Remember the reasons why you want to make the change and the benefits you'll reap from doing so.
"Whether it is to boost your energy level, improve mood, combat health conditions and disease, or to be there for your kids' future, there's always a reason that a resolution was made," Baker said. "So when the going gets tough, remind yourself of why you're making a lifestyle change, and this will keep you motivated."
Also, don't be afraid to modify your goals if they become too difficult to reach, Baker said.
"If the new behavior has lost its luster, switch things up," Baker said. "Variety is the key to life and can keep you from getting burned out."
Source: UAB
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