As we turn the page to welcome a new year, many people are filled with fresh hopes and aspirations for better things to come. These yearly aspirations for change date back to ancient times when Babylonians, Romans and Medieval Europeans made promises to the gods to return borrowed items, pay debts and recommit to chivalry.
Today, we know these promises as New Year’s resolutions, something about one in three Canadians make to better themselves—with living a healthier lifestyle ringing in at the top of the list of goals. However, life often gets in the way, and about 73 percent of these good intentions go by the wayside, according to the same source. You can help stack the odds in their favour by sharing these tips and healthy giveaways.
Help them succeed with these tips plus health and wellness promotional items
In order to meet a goal, one must start with a plan (and a realistic one, at that). According to a Runtastic® blog, these four steps will help them succeed:
Get started now
Who needs to wait until New Year’s Day? There’s no time like the present to start working toward a goal. Get them thinking about their goals prior to the new year. Post a list of healthy resolutions on your social channels and ask people to share their resolution. Enter those who do into a prize draw for a healthy giveaway to help them succeed. An exercise mat or BlenderBottle® make a great choice.
Choose sustainable goals
Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Lifehack® reminds us, “If you have a lot of bad habits today, the last thing you need to do is remodel your entire life overnight.” Encourage them to set smaller, more sustainable goals over time. For instance, if someone’s goal is better nutrition, start by increasing water intake. An infuser bottle makes it easy to drink more water. Not only does the bottle help them count their daily ounces, it comes with a removable fruit infuser so they can create fun, fresh flavours. After they master their water goal, begin working on the next healthy habit, like eating more fruits and vegetables. Wellness promotional items, like this Apple Slicer or veggie spiralizer, make those extra servings easy. Consider rewarding patients with one of these giveaways every time they meet a goal.
Be accountable
Accountability is king when it comes to sticking with a goal. Whether they report to family, friends, coworkers or a healthcare provider, patients are more likely to stay on track with periodic check-ins where they can share successes and discover areas for improvement. Help them record their progress with a fitness-tracking app or a journal where they can regularly jot notes about steps taken toward each goal.
Adjust as necessary
Things don’t always go as planned—and that’s ok. Knowing this ahead of time will help them get back to it after hitting bumps in the road. Encourage patients to have a plan but also be flexible. A silicone bracelet imprinted with the phrase “Progress not perfection” will inspire them to persevere.
Help your patients develop a plan to achieve their new year’s wellness goals. From setting goals to getting started to accountability, these tips plus healthy giveaways will get them moving in the right direction.