Do new year resolutions actually work?

Millions of us pledge towards being healthier and improving our quality of life each year in attempting a New Year's resolution. However, 95% of our resolutions will fail, returning to old habits and some of us failing to even start the resolution.

Being physically healthier is the most common New Year resolution to have, by starting new habits and/or dropping unhealthy habits. Exercising, losing weight, and eating healthier. The second most common New Year's resolution is saving money.

Why do resolutions fail?

We are often guilty of setting unrealistic goals. This makes it difficult to achieve our goals, we miss out on the positive reinforcement of achieving smaller goals and the ultimate failure leads to disappointment and self-hatred.

Multiple studies have also shown that a lack of self-confidence and readiness for change leads to resolutions failing. Combining a lack of confidence in your own abilities to achieve things coupled with unrealistic hard to attain goals, is a recipe for disaster. This leads to a downward spiral of even less self-confidence and more failed resolutions. Readiness to change refers to whether you are truly motivated and ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle, instead of half-heartedly jumping onto a trend.

Old habits holding us back are probably the most important reason resolutions fail. We are creatures of habit; it is easier to react to impulses and continue behaving the same way. We feel good zoning out and sticking to habits, and the reward centres of our brain release a feel-good chemical called dopamine; especially when that habit is binging on food, online shopping, etc. It is biochemically difficult to move away from the “rewarding” and unhealthy behaviours, not to mention the neural pathways which have formed in our brains.

We generally respond badly to relapse. Studies have shown people commonly overreact with self-blame, feelings of being out of control and hopelessness. This inevitably leads to a full relapse.

Ultimately, relapse and biochemical changes in the body are part of many people's stories toward healthier lives. And those who react positively to relapse, exercising forgiveness and recognising their progress, are significantly more likely to achieve their New Year's Resolution.

Why is hypnotherapy a better choice?

The subconscious mind is the driver of our habits and emotions. Hypnotherapy gets the subconscious mind to work for you and not against you. Hypnotherapy can uncover emotional reasons holding you back from healthier habits, such as comfort eating. Hypnotherapy also works with old patterns of behaviour to make it easier to eradicate them. For example, using healthier alternatives when cravings are too much, such as fruit. This is also known as Habit Reversal Therapy.

Working together with the therapist, we will set smaller and more achievable goals. Learn how to delay your gratification, enjoying the perks of a slimmer body, saving money, and exercise. Hypnotherapy will also help to boost your confidence in achieving your goals.

Rochester Hypnotherapy Clinic helps people leave behind unhealthy and addictive behaviours. We also help people simply looking to improve their health and quality of life.

“I highly recommend Andrew and Rochester Hypnotherapy Clinic to anyone looking to make a positive change in their lives”.