Many people see the New Year as the time to make healthier lifestyle changes, but sticking to that resolution can be tough and old habits can creep back in within a few weeks.
Virgin Care’s Health Improvement Team in Bath and North East Somerset is providing advice and support for those who want to make a change for good in 2018.
Health Improvement Service Manager Sarah Button said: “It can be really hard to make and stick to lifestyle changes, particularly as part of a New Year’s resolution. We recommend having a think about what you really want to achieve and setting yourself some goals.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t start straight away on January 1, we tend to recommend waiting a couple of weeks into January. Any changes you make, such as stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, eating healthier or doing more exercise can go a long way to improving your health.
“Whatever you choose to do, we’re here to support you.”
Top goal setting tips include:
- Making one resolution rather than several gives you a greater chance of success;
- Break your goal into a series of steps so you can tackle it bit by bit;
- Keep a record of your plans and progress, so that you can see how well you’re doing. This will help to keep you motivated.
- Reward yourself when you start achieving your goals.
- If you do have a setback, don’t give up, it’s not the end, just start again the following day and get yourself back on track. Treat any setback as temporary.
- Tell people what you’re doing, don’t keep it a secret. You’ll probably be surprised at the support you get.
For more advice from Virgin Care’s Healthy Lifestyle Service, call 01225 831852.