Many of us on the eve of the New Year think that in the coming year it would be nice to get in shape, get rid of debt, quit smoking, start eating right, or call relatives more often. At the same time, many people are skeptical about New Year’s resolutions, and if we fail to keep them, they turn into a source of disappointment and failure. Why is this happening and what to do about it?
The reason is that we make the wrong promises to ourselves. They are characterized by the fact that they do not bring inner satisfaction, require incessant hard work, remind of the inevitability of death, making them feel insignificant.
Correct New Year’s resolutions help to gradually change yourself and your life. Here is a sample wish list for the next year that makes you happier.
1. Spend more time with friends
Research shows that we become happy when we are closely connected with loved ones and feel like part of a group. Even introverts don’t like to feel alone. This advice may seem obvious, but it’s worth putting it into practice.
Perhaps you do not know where to start, or you are constantly short of time. So it’s time to add friendly meetings to your weekly to-do list. Join a club of interests that meets on a regular basis, or organize one yourself.
2. Give something every day
The best “catalyst of happiness” is gratitude. For example, you can thank fate for everything that you have, a partner for his love and care, a friend for sharing ideas with you, a family for supporting you in all your endeavors.
You can give not only gratitude: lend a helping hand, make a compliment, give a little money to someone who needs it — even small acts of kindness work wonders.
Our society is focused on receiving, so making a promise to do one good deed every day or showing gratitude in small things can make a big difference.
3. Get more sleep and exercise
Adequate sleep will make you less stressed, you will get sick less often and grumble less. Try to increase your sleep by 10 minutes each week until you get the required 8 hours.
The second component is physical activity. If you feel depressed or want to lose a few pounds, try to move more so that it is fun.
We can change simply because we wanted to and promised ourselves to do so. So maybe you should add this to your list of New Year’s resolutions?
About the author: Christina Carter is a sociologist and author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work (2015).