JAKARTA - The New Year moment feels like a new beginning. For some, this is the right time to make resolutions. But, according to reports, many do not keep the resolutions they make themselves. Why is that?
According to the Indonesian Big Dictionary (KBBI), resolution means a decision or consensus in the form of a request or demand that can be determined in a meeting, deliberation, or hearing.
In everyday life, resolutions are often interpreted as promises made to oneself to improve the quality of life. Resolutions can be very helpful if one determines them wisely, by ensuring that the resolution is realistic to be fulfilled, and regularly adjusts expectations so that we remain motivated.
"Of course (an important resolution). You can try something new, which is always a good idea. It's okay if it doesn't work right away on the first try. The key is to learn something new yourself and try again, that's how we grow," said Paul, Academic Coordinator at SCL International College.
Even so, not a few New Year's resolutions end in failure. In fact, according to research, resolutions often fail in the first four months.
According to a 2022 report by Forbes, data from YouGov America revealed that 80 percent agreed that most people would not keep their resolutions. And, only about four percent of people reported that they kept all the resolutions they made.
Lecturer in psychology at ACU's School of Behavioural and Health Sciences Dr. John Mahoney explained that failure to keep resolutions is not due to lack of intention, but because the way the brain forms habits is not as simple as thought.
Dr. Mahoney emphasized that there is no exact number of how long it takes to form a new habit. However, according to research, forming a new habit can take between 18 days to 36 weeks, depending on one's behavior and environment.
But why do people still make resolutions at the start of the year? According to Mahoney this happens is New Year is considered a new beginning.
"We are interested in new initial ideas. By the end of the year, we will look back at the mistakes and want to fix them," he said.
Even so, it is not easy to realize a resolution in the New Year. Building new habits or breaking old habits not only takes time, but it takes a process and strategy. That's why, many resolutions stop in the middle of the road.
For example, a person's resolution is a healthy lifestyle by doing exercise. In order to meet this resolution, a person needs more time for exercise. In addition, it also takes money to pay for membership or buy sports equipment. Many fail to meet the resolution because of the difficulty of getting these two things.
Benefits for Mental HealthCarol Dweck said there are several factors that cause resolutions not to go according to plan. First, because the resolutions made are unrealistic or unclear. In addition, resolutions that are not specific are also too difficult to implement.
"For example, you want to be a successful person with a total savings or wealth of several million, but you do not specify the nominal figure or the field of success and the form you expect," said Dweck.
"Finally, your mind will experience confusion about what actions you should take, the target still looks vague or blurry, and this makes you not motivated to immediately make it happen," he added.
The resolution that has been targeted, said Dweck, is also difficult to achieve because it is often stuck in the negative talk of others.
Even though many people fail, having a New Year's resolution has benefits for mental health. Launching the American Psychological Association website, making a New Year's resolution can provide extra motivational boost that is not found in previous days. Resolutions also provide clear direction and focus. Without resolutions, the desire to change is often just a dream.
Another benefit of resolutions is improving self-confidence. That's because every time you successfully achieve small goals, your brain releases dopamine. In the end, this can strengthen self-efficacy, that is, the belief in having the ability to control the results in your own life.
The American Psychological Association notes that small successes in a row can build fundamental confidence.
Finally, New Year's resolutions also improve mental well-being and hope. Harvard Health Publishing mentions, hope is a protective factor against anxiety and depression.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
