The start of a new year marks a time when many Australians take a closer look at what they want to achieve in the year ahead. For many, resolutions focus on improving their health, but experts are urging people to be kind to themselves while in the process of making changes.
Health and fitness plans are expected to top the list of Australian New Year's resolutions, but experts say it's also a time of year for people to be gentle with themselves and set realistic goals for improving their health and well-being.
Dr Craig Duncan is a performance strategist and exercise scientist.
"Research really tells us that often new year's resolutions don't last very long. We can start an exercise program after just a couple of months our motivation dies out and we struggle and we don't keep it up for the entire year. And that is okay but you don't have to wait for the next new year to make that resolution to start again, so that's one of the problems with these new year resolutions. Just realize don't be too hard on yourself. Just start the next day or start on Monday or start on your next birthday. There are all of these opportunities throughout the year."
