According to one expert, the key to making any life changes is to take “Small and steady” steps. Dr Crystal Wyllie, a health specialist at ZAVA Online Doctor, has warned against setting New Year’s resolutions around health, as they could potentially cause more harm than good due to the “significant psychological pressure”.
She noted that many people set goals such as eating healthier, getting fitter, or losing weight every year, but often struggle to maintain these promises past February. This trend, she suggested, could be attributed to the nature of the resolutions themselves: “In today’s results-driven society, these lofty aspirations often set individuals up for failure and can take a significant toll on their mental health.”
Dr Wyllie advised moving away from the ‘all-or-nothing’ approach typically associated with resolutions, and instead focusing on ‘small-and-steady’ changes that can be easily incorporated into daily routines.
Even if your goal is to get fitter or lose weight in the new year, she recommended not making this part of a dramatic resolution plan. Instead, she suggested taking smaller, focused steps towards these goals, such as moving a little bit every day rather than committing to intense gym sessions several times a week, which can lead to unnecessary physical strain and disrupt your fitness plans.
She recommended simple activities like taking the stairs instead of using lifts, or getting off the bus early and walking the rest of the way, reports Bristol Live.
When it comes to adjusting your diet, the expert suggested not to rush the process, explaining: “It’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself to change how and what you eat overnight. Start off small by eating your food more slowly or by changing how you prepare your food, such as swapping out frying for baking.”
On top of these measures, the health specialist underscored an essential factor – sleep – that can derail weight loss efforts. Lack of adequate, restful sleep has been linked to increased hunger, which is why Dr Wyllie advocates for a nightly routine devoid of technology, aiming for seven to nine hours of sound sleep.