Part of the American tradition of celebrating the New Year seems to be making resolutions that are doomed to failure. It is estimated that 25 percent of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first 15 weeks of the year. Not only that, but individuals tend to make the same New Year’s resolution an average of ten times, and those who manage to make a resolution last for six months or longer have often tried five or six times before finally succeeding. The lack of success in carrying out New Year s resolutions can be demoralizing and can lead to an attitude of “I give up! Why bother?” until the next year when false hope syndrome starts a new cycle.

To avoid this trap, resolutions should be realistic goals based on an individual’s life and circumstances. Healthy behaviors are a result of four elements: awareness, motivation, skill-building, and opportunity. Without opportunity or access to ways to promote health, good intentions cannot be realized. For example, an older adult may resolve to exercise regularly. If he or she does not have transportation to get to a senior center or community center, they might have no idea how to be physically active alone at home. Or, if they don’t have an exercise buddy or a family member who can offer support, the likelihood that he or she will start being physically active just because it’s on a New Year’s resolution list is very low.

On the other hand, setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based) goals and using positive rather than negative reinforcement may help an elder take small steps toward making lasting changes. The older adult in the example above might start by setting a goal for January of making two phone calls to ask about transportation to a senior center from the county transit system or from the senior center itself.

The following suggestions may help create empowering New Year’s resolutions for improved health.

1. I will honor my life experience, appreciate my strengths and abilities, and love myself.

2. I will make changes for me, not for anyone else.

3. I will get more in touch with my body and listen to what it is telling me.

4. I will ask for support from family, friends, and others if I need it, and I will offer support when needed.

5. I will pick one or two things to work on and set goals that are SMART (see above).

6. I will try something new.

7. I will connect with others.

8. I will have fun.

9. I will start by taking small steps.

10. I will give myself credit for what I accomplish.

Have a Happy New Year!

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If you would like more information on “Setting Realistic New Year Resolutions” feel free to contact Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus–University of Minnesota at waldn001@umn.edu. Be sure to watch for more Family Living Focus information in next week’s paper.