Content

Each year millions of people make a New Year’s resolution in the hope of creating a new and improved version of ourselves, often intending to tackle an aspect of our health. Common health resolutions are to:

  • Eat more fruit and vegetables
  • Do more exercise
  • Stop smoking
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

But we all know that keeping a New Year’s resolution can be tough. Psychologists have found we're more likely to succeed if we break our resolution into smaller goals that are specific, measurable and time-based. Richard Wiseman, a psychology professor at Hertfordshire University, gives tips for boosting willpower and staying motivated:

  1. Make only one resolution. Choosing just one aspect of your health to improve will increase your chance of success.
  2. Plan your resolution in advance. This will give you time to think about your goal and how to achieve it.
  3. Don’t repeat last year’s resolution. Or, if you do, at least pick a different technique to achieve it.
  4. Keep the resolution specific and write it down.
  5. Plan a reward for when you achieve your goal. This will give you something to focus on.

It’s likely we’ll slip back into our old habits from time to time, so don’t give up. Richard Wiseman gives more details and a video on how to keep your new year’s resolutions.

Help is always available from local and national organisations and services. Look for one which suits you.

Here are some which could help with your chosen resolution:

Leisure East Devon:

Provides sports and leisure activities on behalf of the council. Leisure / Fitness Centres are in Axminster, Broadclyst, Colyton, Exmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Seaton and Sidmouth. LED in the Community also offer schemes ranging from Walking for Health, Walking Football or Walking Netball, to Zumba.

Parkruns:

Each is a 5km run, every Saturday at 9:00am: nearest ones include Cranbrook parkrun, Exmouth parkrun, Seaton parkrun, Killerton parkrun. 

StopForLife Devon:

If you’re looking to stop smoking this local service will support you to quit. The service is free for people who live in Devon.

Better Health:

A national NHS service that offers advice on smoking, drinking, healthy eating, and being more active, as well as advice on mental wellbeing such as managing sleep and stress. It provides free tips, tools and support to help you make small, practical changes that fit in with your life.

Active 10:

Get Active! Did you know that walking briskly, even for one minute, counts as exercise? Every minute of activity counts, but aim for at least 10 minutes a day. The free Active 10 app for smartphones helps you monitor and gradually increase your brisk walking over time.

Dry January:

Enables you to take control of your relationship with alcohol. Take part in this annual national challenge to help you ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline, and save money by giving up alcohol for 31 days.

If you are worried about specific health issues, this NHS website gives reliable information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare.

Disclaimer: if in doubt please seek professional medical advice.