Social Work Today E-Zine

As the New Year quickly approaches, vows to adopt a healthier lifestyle abound. Health-related New Year’s resolutions top the list of promises American adults make to themselves as the calendar turns every year.

“Sometimes we take on too many changes and create too many goals all at one time,” explains Erica Wright, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. “Instead of being able to maintain these new habits, we fail because we become overwhelmed.” Many women complain that they are unable to keep their resolutions.

Wright suggests streamlining your resolutions: “Pick one thing versus taking on so many things. For example, quitting smoking is a massive life change that has so many health benefits to it, but choosing to lose weight on top of that is way too much to handle all at once.”

Enacting small and feasible changes may make it easier to incorporate into in already busy lifestyle. Focus on one change at a time. For example, if you want to exercise more, try to work that into your routine before taking on any more challenges. Even if you walk briskly to work, take the stairs instead of the elevator or get to the gym once a week, it can make a difference.

“Perhaps incorporate other goals throughout the year,” says Wright. “It doesn’t necessarily have to get done by January 1.”

— Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Society for Women's Health Research