Page 20 - 2024-Issue-1

LIFESTYLE

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

By Dr. Ilse Ruane

t this time of year, many people During the month of December people more structure and discipline in their
begin the annual ritual of setting tend to overindulge in eating, drinking, lives upon returning home to work after
Athemselves New Year’s resolutions. spending money and neglecting exercise. the holidays. However, a few weeks into
Some of us may even plan them months in Rather than moderate these actions, we the new discipline, our appetites have
advance. Memberships at gyms and diet promise ourselves that after the holiday returned, and we start to feel deprived.
programmes soar in the weeks following season is over, we will take back control. It is at this point that we are most
the festive season. Sales of chocolate In the meantime, we give ourselves at risk for reverting to old actions of
and alcohol decline and are replaced by permission to overindulge without guilt. overindulgence.
healthier food and drink. People take a
long, hard look at their spending habits Our resolve is at its peak when we have Soon we start rationalising that this is not
as they sort through the bills coming in had our fill or when our finances run low. a good time of year to start the intended
January’s post. “Time for a new beginning” It’s easy to think about going on a diet as change. After all, with the cold weather
is the message promoted by all. we groan from a bloating holiday meal. approaching and numerous obligations
It’s no problem to plan to quit smoking ahead, there is little point to continue.
Yet despite all this, most people will find when we’ve just had a cigarette and We rationalise that when spring comes,
their resolutions to be challenging to replenished our nicotine level. At this we’ll really get into shape. Thus, we
maintain. By February, most New Year’s point we feel confident about our New make another promise to ourselves, and,
resolutions will be no more than a dim Year’s resolutions because we have not now free of guilt, put off the change
memory. How can such apparently strong yet confronted any prolonged physical for another few months when the time
determination fizzle out so quickly? What discomfort. for change is more optimal than now.
can we do to increase the likelihood that Chances are that when spring arrives,
our desire for change will translate into In early January, we are often so sick we will have another temporary surge of
permanent positive change? of rich food and drinks from the festive motivation, only to abandon it within a
season, and feeling so sluggish from lack few weeks.
Let’s examine the psychology of the New of vigorous physical activity, that it is not
Year’s resolution to try to understand the difficult to abstain from overindulgence. Why do people abandon their
situation. In fact, some people look forward to resolutions? One reason is that we

18 | INTRAMUROS JANUARY 2024