Study says people most likely give up New Year’s resolutions on January 19; psychologist gives tips
MANILA, Philippines — Lose weight, learn a new language, spend less, travel more: These are just four of the most popular New Year’s resolutions people make.
Ironically, they’re also among the resolutions that rarely make it past the first few months of the year.
According to a 2019 study conducted by physical exercise tracker Strava, people are most likely to give up their New Year’s resolutions on January 19 — otherwise known as “Quitters Day.”
By the second week of February, a whopping 80% would have thrown in the towel trying to achieve the resolutions they so earnestly committed themselves to just weeks before. Why do we make New Year’s resolutions — only to break them?
“Because it’s the easier thing to do,” said Doctor Jon Edward B. Jurilla, MD, Section Chief of Psychiatry of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).
“Change is hard. It takes you out of your comfort zone and requires effort to produce the desired results. If you made a resolution, but are accountable to no one but yourself, then there are no apologies or explanations needed when you fail or don’t even try.”
How to make 2024 the year you become resolute about your resolutions?
“Instead of making grand plans, commit to simple and doable tweaks to your routines. They help develop healthy habits that not only benefit you but those around you,” Dr. Jurilla pointed out.
Unlike ambitious resolutions that can be discouraging to restart when you slack up, resuming these tweaks to your daily routine is easier. And their effects will impact you for a very long time.
