The time is upon us. The end of an absolutely crazy year. The transition where everyone wants to set some new goals and move forward! But, inevitably, the new year’s resolutions we are so passionate about today will be left behind in the wake of work, exhaustion, and ‘other commitments.’
The truth is that it doesn’t matter what ‘year’ we’ve had, setting realistic goals and sticking to them takes a lot more than just saying it out loud. But there are some very simple and easy to learn practices that can teach you the skills you need to make a change. Once you figure that part out- sticking to the new year’s health and fitness resolutions is easy!
The Problem With New Year’s Resolutions
The way we perceive the world, and our place in it, is a result of a huge array of environmental, societal and economic influences. This perception forms our beliefs, and these beliefs form and affect our actions, emotions, habits and thought patterns.
Whilst our perceptions, knowledge and beliefs are not static, for many people they become that way. We settle into ‘routine’ or family life, and before long we become creatures of habit.
The problem, then, when it comes to new year’s resolutions is actually the same issue we face when trying to make any change in our lives- it’s really, really hard to break our habits. Especially when they are habits and thought patterns that we have been practicing our whole lives.
Our beliefs guide our habits, and our habits program the brain to perform the same actions time and time again- without conscious input.
If You Don’t Change, Nothing Will
Most people attack their new year’s resolutions from the same place that put them in the position they’re trying to change. If you don’t have the right tools for the job, how can you expect to get it done?
So we’re flipping the lid on new year’s health and fitness resolutions! Rather than setting outlandish and unattainable goals, we think everyone should be taking a much more holistic approach. In doing so, you can spend 2021 equipping yourself with the right tools to help you make any change, not just one for your physical self.
For 2021 we want to encourage you to focus on learning how to change your mind. With a few simple practices, you can take better control of your life, and as a side-effect, you’ll begin to make more positive choices for your health. Before long that marathon you were going to train for will seem like child’s play!
Mindfulness and meditation are skills that need to be practiced!
Make Mindfulness Your New Year’s Resolution
The simplest way to make a change in your life is to build your self-awareness. That means paying attention to all of your thoughts, actions and thought patterns, regardless of whether they’re positive or negative. Once you are aware of your own blocks, you can lean into the positive choices, or find an easy solution to mitigate them.
To build your self-awareness, you need to self-reflect. The simplest way to do both at the same time is through mindful practice like meditation. The research has shown that in just 10 minutes per day mindful/meditative practices can reduce your stress levels, increase your happiness, focus, and positivity, improve your health, sex life, strength, and willpower.
Sounds like a pretty great tool to have in the arsenal right?
If you don’t know where to start, there are plenty of guided meditations available online. Or, you can join the TurnFit personal or online training community! Whilst we offer all of our services in person, the TurnFit app is a great place to start for all of your health and wellness needs, including mindful practice and meditation.
With the research confirming that a focus on exercise and mental health is more effective than medication, there’s never been a better time to learn the skills you need to make a change in 2021, and to keep building them in every year to come.
From all of us at Turnfit we want to wish you a very happy end to the year and hope you stay safe these holidays. We look forward to working with you in the new year to equip you with the skills and tools you need to improve your health and wellness.
