With the new year comes lots of new resolutions, and many of those include changing our habits. The new year can be a new start, which can include starting new routines such as healthy eating habits and going to the gym. However, for some people, resolutions can be challenging.
For starters, any life change can be a stressor. Making these “new year, new me” resolutions aren’t always helpful—especially if you aren’t ready for this new change. There is typically a stigma surrounding the New Year to make new resolutions and goals. This puts stress on people to “be better,” even if they don’t have the means to achieve the goal, as one article from Forbes suggests.
However, it can also help keep yourself in check. Senior supply chain management and marketing double major Natalie Hirsch said that during the heat of the pandemic she was very active, but with the return of in person classes and activities, it has become harder. Now, her resolution has been prioritizing her fitness. She has been increasing gym time but still has a ways to go to reach her goals.
“I want to show that I value the health of my body,” she said.
While fitness is key, eating habits are equally as important, and sophomore neuroscience major Grace Harlan wanted to make that change. She wanted to start eating more fruits and veggies and food with protein, “since snacking or eating foods with less protein made me feel kinda bleh,” she said.
“I wanted to feel better and healthier” Harlan said, and now, with her combined gym time, she’s been working on her stamina and has noticed she has been running faster and longer at the gym.
Most importantly, these New Year’s resolutions are about doing what’s best for you. Senior psychology major Jolie Chalef started her fitness resolutions about a year and a half ago. Initially, she said that her relationship with working out was toxic.
“I would feel really bad about myself if I missed a workout or didn’t go super hard all the time,” she said. But her new resolution focused on fixing that and finding a healthy balance.
Creating healthy habits doesn’t always mean fitness either. Growth is another important aspect of resolutions, and sophomore architecture major Sammie Willis wanted to make a change. In November 2020, her father passed away, and this past November marked the one-year anniversary of his death.
“I looked back at the last year of my life and was so proud at how far I had come,” Willis said.
This encouraged her to make a change in her life and quit vaping.
“I had been addicted for almost two years and I knew it was time. The first couple weeks were hard but it's been two months now since I have bought myself anything and I am so proud of myself,” Willis said.