New Year's Resolutions That Won't Leave You Overwhelmed
TJ Ferrara
over 2 years ago
New Year, new you. A new year is an opportunity to reflect on the successes of the past year, and continue to grow in your journey of living life to the fullest in the year to come. However, this is easier said than done when it comes to sifting through the millions of resolutions promising to transform your life overnight. Resolutions can be daunting when they require a total reworking of your life. Instead, incorporating small but impactful changes can have the greatest results. While we here at BUBS seek to help you live your life to the fullest, we decided to sit down and provide you with simple, no shenanigans resolutions that help improve you on your own journey. The best part, they only improve upon what you’re already doing.
Think SMART
When thinking of resolutions, they should fit you and your life. SMART goals, an acronym first displayed in the journal Management Review, are goals that are tailored to you, and help in your personal goal journey. SMART goals are goals that are defined as:
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Specific: Narrowing your goal down so that you can see the results is one way to increase the effectiveness of your resolution. Instead of saying “I want to run more” or “eat healthier,” give yourself specific targets like running five miles per week or eating a serving of fruit every day.
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Measurable: Tracking progress towards your goal is a motivating factor in your resolution quest. Making your resolutions measurable, like keeping a log or making notes of progress in your phone, is another way to bolster your success.
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Achievable: While we all have those dreams we are working towards, consider resolutions as a stepping stone in your journey. What actions can you take right now to get you where you want to be? Making resolutions that are not achievable can actually leave you feeling discouraged rather than motivated to make any changes. So think simple. A scoop of collagen in your coffee every day is easily achieved but requires little change to your everyday routine with lasting results.
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Relevant: A resolution should be something that inspires you to be the best version of yourself. So let go of the negativity when it comes time to think about what you can change. The best version of you is one that believes in what you can achieve. Adding changes that help you in your day-to-day routine, especially when it comes to your health and well-being, are always worth the extra time.
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Time-Bound: As well as making your goal achievable, having a timeline for your resolution can increase your power to effectively implement your resolution. Keeping your resolution within a certain time frame can help you reflect on how far you have come in your resolution journey.
SMART Resolutions for the New Year
As we enter the new year, here are five SMART resolutions that can help you achieve your best self this year.
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Get Outside: Studies show that only 20 minutes of outside time can boost your energy as much as a cup of coffee. Adding even small increments of outdoor time to your routine can even help with depression, especially during the wintry months. Grab a friend, make it social, and find something you enjoy doing outdoors.
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Call a Loved One: According to the Mayo Clinic, calling a friend or loved one can increase your sense of belonging, purpose, and self-confidence. Scheduling out a weekly or bi-weekly check-in can give you all these benefits while keeping you connected with those who matter most.
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Prioritize Rest: In the quest to do it all, rest can fall on the backburner. Whether in conquering your fitness goals, or the day-to-day business of taking care of your family, rest can be your best asset. Taking the step to recognize your rest days while training, or choosing to exercise in the morning to improve sleep quality are all relevant goals.
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Learn a New Recipe: Nothing brings people together like good cooking. Incorporating one new recipe into your weekly or monthly rotation is an actionable goal for the new year. Bonus points for including ingredients that boost your health, such as collagen. (While you’re at it, check out these awesome recipes found on the BUBS blog of Blueberry Collagen Bread, Broccoli and Beef with Collagen Protein Sauce, Maple Brown Sugar Collagen Protein Cookies, and more!)
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Prepare for Tomorrow, Today: Each successful resolution happens at the same pace: one day at a time. In order to set yourself (and your resolutions) up for success, be intentional about the ways you get ready for the next day. Adding even 30 minutes by pulling out your clothes the night before or meal prepping throughout the week is a way to save you time to live life to the fullest.
Avoid the Resolution Pitfalls
One-third of resolutions made in the past year do not make it past January. The resolutions that fall through the cracks often do so for a few distinct reasons.
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Lack of Ownership: In the quest to change for the better, the voice that ultimately matters is yours. Creating a resolution based on what someone else wants you to change does not provide the motivation you need to see it through.
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Lack of Precision: When you are not precise you can easily miss your mark. Resolutions that are too broad and not measurable often fail because they are not tailored to your own life. These resolutions promise sweeping change, but can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed.
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Lack of Direction: Like any good trail run or thru-hike, you need direction in order to get to your destination. Resolutions that fail often happen because there is no plan or accountability for how to implement them into your life. Not having a map in your resolution journey can be a surefire reason to not see success.
Whatever SMART goal you are thinking for the new year, we at BUBS are here to help support your journey. As you look to tackle any goal with energy, increased mobility, and immunity support, one simple resolution is to help your body feel its best with BUBS collagen. We here at BUBS are looking forward to supporting your journey to living life well into the new year.