Don’t let the new year pressures get to you

Alice Mpholo, Northside journalist writes:

The beginning of the new year tends to bring its own form of pressure. Between resolutions and the overall newness of the year, we put a lot on our shoulders – to lose the weight, get the promotion, get the new house etc – all in a very short space of time.

I like to take the first few weeks of January to simply reflect on what I accomplished in the previous year and give myself space to figure out what I want to do in the new one. For example I want to stop eating red meat; however, I am not putting any pressure on myself to stop in January specifically. I have the entire year to either gradually cut it out of my diet or make adjustments/ find alternatives.

Whether you make new year’s resolutions or not, the best way to accomplish anything is to plan for it. If you want to eat healthier, for instance, schedule free time (weekends are usually the best) to cook a lot of food that you can eat during the week without having to figure out a menu after work. Meal-prep in the evenings so that your lunch, snacks and drinks are ready in the morning.

If you want to get physically healthy, the advice I always give people is to always do exercise you enjoy. It is the only way you will stick with it. For example, I hate running. Every time I run, I am ticked off from start to finish and I usually quit in a week. However, I do enjoy strength and functional training, HIIT and yoga. I do things I enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still exercise and I will probably complain during the session, but I will be back tomorrow and the next day and the next.

Instead of feeling under pressure to get every resolution done within a tight time frame, remind yourself that there are 12 months in a year and there is time. Perhaps do one new thing every month. While you are at it, I hope some of your resolutions include things that are actually fun to you, whatever they may be.