HEALTH AND WELLNESS
If you experience a setback, be compassionate with yourself; change is rarely easy. Giving yourself a break will help you dust yourself off and get back on track.
By taking a mindful and proactive approach to your health, you'll be on the way towards achieving your wellness goals through 2017 and beyond. To learn more about healthy living, visit www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle. For more information on customized wellness programs at Mayo Clinic, view our Healthy Living Program.
Fight Boredom with Fun and Creativity
People fail at wellness goals for many reasons, including boredom. Approaching your goals with a creative and fun attitude can help keep them fresh and exciting - and keep you on track!
Try learning something new or vary your routine. For example, try a new recipe or modify your usual food choices. Learn to use a new piece of equipment at the gym, or take an exercise class to learn something you've always wanted to do.
Dance around the house, take a healthy cooking class, read a book, travel, check an item off your bucket list or create a list if you don't have one. However you define "fun," if you enjoy what you're doing, you're more likely to want to keep doing it.
Prepare to Overcome Setbacks
No matter how committed you are to a goal, setbacks are normal. Don't let them derail you. Planning for setbacks and how you'll overcome them can help you stay on track for the long term.
When planning how you'll reach a desired behavior change, try including some what-if scenarios. For example, if your fitness routine includes a yoga class after work and you get delayed, think about what you could do to still meet your exercise goal. You might be able to substitute another class or use body weight exercises at home. Having a back-up plan in case your original goal doesn't work out can help you avoid "all-or-nothing" thinking.