The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. when the mythical Roman King Janus was placed at the head of the calendar. It was said that Janus had two faces which allowed him to look back on past events and forward to the future.
Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year. I would think that because the tradition of resolutions dates so far back, we would be better at sticking to them.
It seems like, more often than not, New Year’s resolutions don’t last. After two weeks people start to return to old routines and habits, leaving the motivation to stick to resolutions in the past. Don’t follow the crowd! Follow these helpful tips to stay on track with your New Year’s resolution:
- Be specific – Rather than saying, “I am going to work out more” say, “I am going to walk 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.”
- Set goals about achieving rather than avoiding – Instead of trying to stop drinking soda, try to drink more water.
- Surround yourself with supporters – Make sure your friends and family are aware of your new goals and don’t be afraid to ask them to help you meet your goals.
- Set realistic goals – Being able to see the progress you have made will help you stay on track and be more motivated to reach your goals.
A good resolution we suggest (of course!) is to keep or start a good dental hygiene routine. If you are not in the habit of brushing twice a day, start there. If you already brush twice daily, add flossing once a day or visit the dentist twice yearly. Keep positive and good luck on achieving your goals this year!
Happy New Year from Delta Dental of Arizona!
