KarunaNews Story

Keeping New Year’s resolutions depends on three things that psychologists consider basic psychological needs: Our confidence that we can make the change; our sense of autonomy, or independence; and whether or not we feel accepted, valued, and supported by others. We resist behaviors that we feel shamed into making. Here are seven things you can do to increase their odds of success. Support their autonomy. Express your confidence in their ability to keep the resolution. Don’t assume you know what kind of support they need. Promote mindful self-awareness through daily check-ins and invite self-reflection in a low-pressure way. Offer compassion when things aren’t going well. Don’t offer solutions, even when you think they will help. When they share a success, respond enthusiastically.