Every year more and more people make New Year’s resolutions to start the year right and the video above highlighted the three most popular resolutions. Are these on your list?

Unfortunately, there is an 80% failure rate on these resolutions and most people lose their resolve by mid-February.

Why?

There are different opinions on this matter, but it can be broken down into 5 basic reasons:

• Expectations were not realistic
• Resolutions were not properly defined
• Did not have the right mindset
• Time management skills
• Distractions

We want you to be successful in your resolutions and we offer a list from the American Psychological Association of 5 ways you can stick to your resolutions.

Start small 

Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.

Change one behavior at a time 

Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.

Talk about it 

Share your experiences with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a workout class at your gym or a group of coworkers quitting smoking. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.

Don’t beat yourself up 

Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

Ask for support 

Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to manage stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the connection between the mind and body. They can offer strategies as to how to adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviors and address emotional issues.

We hope for your success in your resolutions for 2020. Do you want to focus on your digestive health for 2020? See our article titled Resolutions for your Digestive Health for options. We will follow up with all of you in the future to see your successes and struggles in the path to a healthier life.