Of course, it would be difficult to argue with this. There is no better way of relaxing and unwinding with family and friends at a time of year that is not only meant for reflection on the year just gone, but also for looking to the new year ahead.
Indeed, following this short period of hedonism at Christmas, many people choose to counteract it by making resolutions to turn over a new leaf in the new year and get fit, lose weight, give up smoking or even all three. Of course, no reminders are needed as to the difficulties countless numbers of people face in keeping these personal promises.
Why many people fail though, is because of the psychological barrier created by the excessiveness of Christmas consumption, meaning that they are already 'behind' schedule by the time the resolution even starts. This scenario is avoidable though, if the correct preparations are made in the build-up to Christmas. And the key lies in starting the resolution BEFORE Christmas and new year.
If we begin with the assumption that Christmas WILL be excessive, then that's a good start, as this is the hardest time of year to fight temptation.
In the month or so before the festive period, start calming down on the chocolate, burgers and beer and start walking more. Not only will this help drop a few pounds on the waist, it will also help save a few pounds in the wallet, in the build-up to what is usually a costly period. Don't join a gym yet though, as the best deals are often found in the new year, when fitness centres try and compete for the business of all the other resolution-makers.
This first step should hopefully negate at least some of the effects of Christmas, meaning there is less ground to make up when the new year starts.
But there are also other easy techniques that can be used in the build up to the festive period. The Slendertone system, for example, uses EMS (electro muscle stimulators) technology to help tone and shape the body muscles. This system can be used at work, at home or on the move, and visible results can be expected in 4 to 8 weeks. If this system is used in conjunction with some light exercise and a healthier diet, in the month leading up to the festive period and a month after, the visible results will ensure that the 'get fit, lose weight' new year resolution stands a vastly improved chance of succeeding.
For most people, Christmas is a time of little exercise and excessive consumption, and there is little point in trying to fight this. To maximise the chances of a successful 'get fit, lose weight' new year resolution, plan ahead in the build up to the festive period and ensure that there is no ground to make up due to too much turkey and wine. Follow these simple steps and the new year should bring that long-awaited new, shapely body.
Or is there more realistic ways to make the New Year Better? Surprisingly it is possible to approach the question of happiness scientifically. It even has a name. Hedonics, the Study of Happiness
And now amid all the cod psychology of self-help books, key points are emerging that may actually make a difference. Here are the Top Ten
1) Count Your Blessings It may sound glib, but we in the western world rally should be more grateful for what we often take for granted. Take a few minutes a day to think about all the things we should be grateful for, starting with our health and that of our family and friends
2) Simplify Your Life Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard University psychologist points out that so many of us feel so unhappy because our lives are so cluttered that we have no time to get on top of our commitments’ So if you want to be happier, turn off you mobile and resist the need to check you emails every hour. Take time out to do very little; go for a walk, enjoy your children.
3) Avoid Greed Avoiding avarice is a sure path to greater happiness says the experts. This is advise that goes back as far as the Bible, but it’s surprising how many people spend every waking hour fretting about what they don’t have, rather than enjoying the stuff that they do
4) Take Exercise Not only will you avoid temptation but the fresh air and exercise will make you happier, because on the thing that an increasing number of scientists agree on, is that we are far too physically idle On the face of it, Running the Marathon is utter madness, yet thousands do so, both foe the sense of achievement and the rush of mood-enhancing endorphins it releases
5) Take pleasure in simple Tasks When you become frustrated with what ever you are trying to accomplish, counterbalance that with completing a simpler Task. In his book “The Happiness Hypothesis, Virginian University psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt points out the huge sense of satisfaction nearly everyone gets from performing what may be a simple task extremely well
6) Set Realistic Goals Setting realistic goals and achieving them is far better than either having no goals, due to fear of failure or shooting for the moon. This applies to our personal lives as much as our careers.
7) Admit Mistakes Admitting you can be wrong is, Dr Haidt argues, a bizarrely cathartic exercise. We are far to obsessed with not losing face or status. Admitting failure and error will not only make you happier it will also raise you in the esteem of others (A fact our politicians never seem to learn)
8) Avoid Commuting We didn’t need a psychologist to tell us that! Surveys consistently show that the length of time people spend getting to and from their workplace every day correlates strongly and negatively with their state of happiness. If you want a happier 2008. move closer to your work, get a new job, or work from home!
9) Tradition Though he is a classical American Academic Liberal, and an Atheist, Dr Haidt admits many of the more positive values of the Right- “Hard Work, Family, Tradition, Datary and Dress Customs, even Religious Observance" – seem to make many people happier than the ‘anything goes’ morality of the Modern Left. People like freedom but they also like structure
10) Don’t try too hard for Happiness In the end, probably the best advise about happiness is not to look for it too hard. Like love, it will turn up when you least expect it, Stop looking for happiness and you never know, it may just come looking for you
Here's wishing you a New Year filled with Happiness and Peace and May all your wishes come true, and your resolutions be fulfilled
Both Andrew Regan & Brian Worley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Andrew Regan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Small Business and Modelling. Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.. Andrew Regan's top article generates over 20400000 views. to your Favourites.
Brian Worley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Feng Shui, Wellness and SEO Articles. Brian Worley :Editor/Publisher :wealthbuilder Bulletinboard :Reporting on the Latest Internet MarketingStrategies and Wealthbuilding Opportunities :. Brian Worley's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.