HONOLULU (KHON2) — As 2024 comes to an end, many people are looking forward to what 2025 will bring. That includes making New Year’s Resolutions, and trying to stick to them.
KHON2’s Jodi Leong asked Sondra Leiggi-Brandon for some tips for those who are looking to make resolutions for the New Year.
“The first advice I have is make sure you make a manageable, realistic goal. Don’t make your goal too lofty. Make sure that it’s something that is actually attainable, and something that is small so you can be sure that you accomplish it,” said Leiggi-Brandon. “I definitely recommend only making one resolution, and again, making sure that it’s very realistic. And another thing is, learn from your mistakes. Learn what you could’ve done differently, and that’ll help you maintain your resolution.”
Following through on New Year’s resolutions can be difficult, however. Leiggi-Brandon said it’s a good idea to write it down and write a plan.
“Writing it down creates a contract with yourself. The other thing is, have an accountability partner, so that way you guys can hold each other accountable, and you can make sure you’re meeting your resolutions together. And it’s always better to do something in pairs or with a partner as well. The other thing you can do is track your progress, and then finally, give yourself time to succeed in your resolution,” Leiggi-Brandon said.
In the end, New Year’s resolutions could lead to a healthier lifestyle — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“There are specific resolutions that you can do like exercise that can actually improve all of those, right? So, if you exercise, not only can you improve your physical health, but endorphins from exercising can improve your emotional mental health. So that’s one thing you can do,” said Leiggi-Brandon. “The other things you can do are – you can change how you write your resolution. So instead of saying should, you say want. Because should has a connotation that is negative? So, if this is something that you should’ve done, and if you don’t do it, you almost feel like a failure in itself. But if you say want, it’s something that’s desirable, something that’s attainable. It changes it more to a positive spin and something that you can work towards.”
Leiggi-Brandon also suggests giving yourself grace, and involving your family.
“They can be your accountability partners and they can go on this journey with you. And the one thing I love to do is to practice gratitude. The things, really small things, but it changes your mindset. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive and do more with gratitude and recognize it more. And then you’ll start to recognize every day, those little things that you should be grateful for.”
To learn more about the services offered by Queen’s Behavioral Services Department, visit www.queens.org., click on services, then click on “Behavioral Health” or call (808) 691-4352.