Why New Year's resolutions may actually be bad for your health

It’s the last day of the year and social media platforms are awash with people posting highlights of the dying year vis a vis their hopes and aspirations for the new year. If you are yet to make your resolutions for 2023, don’t feel bad about it. In fact, you might want to ditch the tradition altogether. Many studies have shown that most people who set resolutions for each new year struggle to see them through, thus impacting their mental health.

New year, same you

A 1989 study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse, found that 77% of the 200 people being studied, ditched their resolutions after one week, 43% managed to stick with them three months out, and 19% stuck with them for two years, with many citing a lack of willpower. In an interview with WYKC, Dr. Susan Anders said unrealistic resolutions amplifies stress levels.

This has been a very hard year for people and often when we make significant or extreme behaviour changes, that adds a lot of pressure and stress. That raises our cortisol level. When we think too far into the future, that raises our anxiety

Unrealistic goals

According to experts, the problem with resolutions is that most people tend to set very ambitious and unrealistic goals. A common item on the list of many is to take better care of their health by eating healthy and working out several days a week. Psychologist Dr. Erika Geisler said:

I think that you are setting yourself up for failure if you think that you are never going to eat carbs again or that you are going to work out seven days a week. Instead, I think that you should have something that you focus on… something that you are intentional about. Maybe that is a word, maybe it is a concept.

Sources used:

Foundations Wellness Center: New Year’s Resolutions May be Harmful to Your Mental Health… 5 Things to Do Instead

Columbia University: Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Faltering?

Everyday Health: The Case for Not Making a New Year’s Resolution