The start of a new year often brings a renewed sense of motivation and desire for change. Many people set New Year's resolutions, but as clinical psychologist Melissa Greenberg explains, not all resolutions are created equal. "The best way to set a resolution that is accomplishable is to think about a process-oriented goal, something you can set your mind to engage in a regular way, as opposed to an outcome-oriented goal," Greenberg said in an interview with CTV News Channel Monday. Greenberg said people often want to produce a certain outcome and that can be difficult because we don't always have control over outcomes. Examples of process-oriented goals include committing to reading for 15 minutes a day. Greenberg also advised planning for potential challenges and having a strategy to get back on track when setbacks occur. She recommended writing a letter to one's future self when challenges arise. "We can't always do exactly what we plan. So, building that into your New Year's resolutions for how you're going to accomplish it can be a really effective way of helping yourself," Greenberg added. As the new year begins, Greenberg also emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-care during this time. "Self-care is not just about indulging in whatever it is you want in the moment, but attuning to what you need, figuring out what feels right for your body, for your mind, for your psyche and your emotions," Greenberg explained. She suggested practices like getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, socializing and engaging in meaningful activities to support mental well-being. "Those are the kinds of things that can help us through the darker months and really paying attention to what feels right to you," she said.
