New Year's Resolutions and SMART Goals

Set SMART Goals for the New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone was able to take in the holidays with family and loved ones. A new year is upon us, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what 2026 has in store. As many of you know, this is often a popular time for individuals to set new goals for themselves (typically regarding their health in some capacity). I will provide some tips that may help you achieve your physical, mental, and social goals! 

As far as goals go, you must be specific. A framework that has been shown to be successful is “SMART” goals. This acronym stands for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.” An exercise example of this could be, “I will be able to bend over and touch my toes with my legs straight by the end of this month.” This statement, rather than “I will exercise more,” gives you a clear goal to work towards. It may also benefit you to start small. What I mean by this is that if you take small steps towards your goal (let’s say your goal is to walk 30 minutes a day, you may start with 10); this may allow you to build momentum and increase your motivation to continue the task. Going this route may make your routine more sustainable and make it seem less daunting.

Mental health is an important (yet forgotten) aspect of overall health, and your New Year’s resolutions are an excellent chance to make it a priority. To improve your mental health, it is recommended that you stay socially active. Whether this be making time to have a 1-on-1 conversation with one of your friends, or even giving a family member or loved one a phone call that you may not speak with often. It is also important to keep your brain active! Ideas for this include picking up a new hobby, playing word/board games, as well as reading a book or magazine. If you do find yourself struggling with mental health issues, please reach out. There are a multitude of resources where you may find help.

Lastly, your social health is another area where you could apply your New Year’s resolutions. As previously mentioned, think about nurturing the relationships that you currently have, reach out to friends/loved ones that you may have lost touch with, and make a valiant attempt to build new connections! This could be done by joining a club, trying out a group activity that you may not have given a chance before, or even volunteering at a local business/charity.

New Year’s resolutions may seem daunting, and it is often hard to know where to begin. If you find yourself having any questions, please reach out to me! Have a Happy New Year! Thank you all for allowing me to serve this community!

 

Nick Neuman

Friends Fellowship Community Exercise Specialist