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Alternative Resolutions

As Soon As The Clock Strikes Midnight On December 31, Many Start Uttering The Words ‘The Diet Starts Now’ Or ‘This Is The Year I’m Going To Get To My Goal Weight’, And Our Screens Are Inundated With ‘Hacks’ On How To Slim Down Fast. But, What If We Gave Ourselves The Permission To Stay As We Are And Practised Self-Love? Or At Least Make New Year’s Resolutions To Add Some Healthier Elements In Our Lives, Without Any Pressure? We Spoke To Experts On Why Such Mindset Changes Could Be Beneficial For 2024, And What Alternative New Year’s Resolutions They Would Recommend. Focus On Adding Things To Your Diet, Not Taking Things Away Nick Mitchell, Global Ceo And Founder Of Ultimate Performance, Believes Succumbing To The Pressure Of January Diets Is Unhealthy. “The Concept, Or Culture, Of The New Year Diet Is One That Makes Steam Come Out Of My Ears In Frustration,” He Says. “See If This Sounds Familiar - You’ve Massively Over-Indulged Over Christmas, Which You Justify To Yourself Because Come January 1 You’re Going To Embark On A Diet So Strict It Would Make A Supermodel Blush. “So, The Idea Of A January Diet, To Me, Is One That Perpetuates A Vicious Cycle Of Disordered Eating And Impossibly Unrealistic Expectations That Are Doomed To Failure.” Instead Of Restricting What We Eat This January, Mitchell Recommends Focusing On Adding "As Many Nutrients A Bridget Benelam, A Nutrition Scientist And Nutrition Communications Manager, At The British Nutrition Foundation, Echoes This View: “It May Help To Concentrate On What To Eat More Of Than What To Cut Back - Adding More Fruits, Vegetables, Pulses And Wholegrains Will Not Only Provide Valuable Nutrients And Fibre With Fewer Calories But Is Also Likely To Displace Other Less Healthy Options, Re-Balancing Your Diet.” Practise Self Love Instead Of Focusing On How You Can Change Your Body In The New Year, Gillian Mcmichael, A Transformational Wellness Coach, Recommends Establishing A Daily Routine Which Involves Practising Self-Love. Mcmichael Says: “This Is Often Difficult To Do As We Are Normally At The Bottom Of Our To-Do List But Is Important To Take Time For You - Start By Acknowledging Your Worth And Embracing Self-Compassion. “Practise Self-Care Regularly, Setting Aside Time For Activities That Bring You Joy And Relaxation. “Challenge Negative Thoughts, Replace Them With Positive Affirmations, And Surround Yourself With Supportive People,And Set Boundaries To Prioritise Your Well-Being And Focus On Personal Growth.” Georgina Sturmer, A Counsellor, Similarly Encourages People To Practise Saying Self-Affirmations. She Explains: “Many Of Us Spend A Huge Amount Of Time And Energy Seeking Out The Acceptance And Approval Of Those Around Us, But It's Actually The Way In Which We Can Love, Accept And Approve Of Ourselves Which Is The Most Important Thing. “Affirmations Involve Choosing A Phrase Or Statement That Feels Empowering, And Then Saying It Out Loud - It Might Be Something That You Are Already Able To Believe About Yourself, Or It Could Be Something That Feels Unattainable For The Moment, But Like A Possibility For The Future.” Compliment Others Without Focussing On Their Looks Sturmer Adds That Complimenting Others Can Also Help Ourselves: “When We Compliment People On Themselves As A Person, We Are Affirming The Importance Of The Qualities That We Value. “The Qualities That Come From Inside, Rather Than The External Window-Dressing - This Has The Power To Boost The Other Person’s Self-Esteem. “There’s Also A Knock-On Effect As It Reminds Us Of What Is Important For Ourselves Too.” Practise Mindfulness Natalie Trice, A Life And Career Coach, Also Thinks Mindfulness Can Be The “Most Beneficial” In Harnessing Your Self-Love. She Explains: “Mindfulness Activities Like Meditation, Journaling And Yoga Can Improve Mental Health And Ease Anxiety And Overall If You Want To Create A Healthier Relationship With Yourself And Others, Take What You And Others Look Like And Search Inside For Inner Peace In 2024.” Prioritise Sleep Carlie Gasia, A Sleep Science Coach, Believes Sleep Can Be Very Helpful For Our Mental And Physical Health, And Is Important To Prioritise In 2024. She Says: “Prioritising Sleep Is Essential Due To The Widespread Detrimental Effects Of Sleep Deprivation. “Even A Short-Term Lack Of Rest Disrupts Communication Between Brain Cells, Impairing Perception And Cognitive Function, (...) A Single Sleepless Night Can Have Lasting Negative Impacts On The Circadian Rhythm, Affecting Glucose Metabolism And Fat Storage For Months Or Even Years." To Get A Better Night's Sleep, Gasia Recommends Establishing A “Consistent Sleep Schedule”, Turning Off Devices, Using Your Bed For “Sleep And Intimacy Only”, And Creating A Calm Environment By Keeping Your Bedroom “Cool, Dark And Quiet.”

Lifestyle

New year resolutions that aren't focussed on weight loss

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