| What ever we resolve on New Year's Eve, many | | | | bam, you tumble, but you're still a better skier than |
| resolutions soon bite the dust once we're under | | | | you were. |
| stress. But failures and relapses are always part of | | | | If you're having trouble changing, check your |
| successful permanent change - for instance, smokers | | | | motivation out of 10. If it's not 10, look for hidden |
| on average need six tries before totally breaking | | | | reasons which will hold you back. Ask yourself: "Am I |
| free. When you have a problem keeping your | | | | really prepared to do what it takes to change?" You |
| resolution, ask yourself if it's a mistake, a partial | | | | probably won't have to do anything really drastic, |
| relapse or a full relapse. Imagine having resolved to | | | | because habits are best changed a little at a time - |
| lose weight, then finding yourself eating a cookie at | | | | but you have to be willing to! Some tools to use for |
| bedtime. You pick up the second cookie - and | | | | relapse prevention: Relaxation can help you outlast |
| suddenly realize what you've done and drop it. But if | | | | temptations. Take three slow breaths, let your |
| you eat it, then finish the whole bag - this is a partial | | | | muscles go loose close your eyes and vividly picture |
| relapse. A full relapse is when you allow the partial | | | | the urge evaporating, replaced by a feeling of |
| relapse to go on and on for weeks. | | | | contentment and power. When faced with a craving |
| Try visualizing temptation as a big hole lying in wait | | | | consider the option of giving in, ending up in the hole, |
| along your way. A mistake" means you slip on loose | | | | feeling miserable and guilty. Or, see yourself moving |
| gravel at the edge. But you recover and carry on. A | | | | forward past the hole, avoiding the relapse - and |
| partial relapse means you do fall in the hole - but you | | | | feeling good about yourself as you leave it behind. |
| quickly climb out and keep going. A full relapse simply | | | | It's your choice. After a "mistake," get back on track |
| means you get further into the hole, but you can still | | | | immediately. If you eat too much, you can get up |
| climb out! Setbacks are actually useful - a chance to | | | | and take a long walk. Identify painful emotional |
| learn something new. If you give in to an urge to | | | | feelings and find better ways to let them out. |
| over eat or smoke, or watch TV instead of | | | | Criticize your actions, but don't run your whole self |
| exercising, then think about exactly what you said to | | | | down. Decide to believe that you really are worth the |
| yourself, what was going on in your life - then try | | | | effort. Remember that striving for self improvement |
| something different next time. If you learn from it, a | | | | helps give life purpose and happiness. Lapses are |
| mistake or lapse is not failure, it's an essential part of | | | | normal, but to make resolutions last: 1. Write them |
| progress to your goal. When learning to ski, you | | | | down; 2. Make plans; 3. Get started; 4. Hang in. |
| make progress, build confidence and gofaster. Then | | | | |