The Latest Science of New Year’s Resolutions: Why They Work (and How to Make Yours Stick)
The turn of the year often feels like a promise to ourselves – a moment for renegotiation: Who was I, and who do I want to be? Resolutions are often dismissed as naive or doomed to fail. But from a psychological perspective, they are more than just temporary good intentions. They are an expression of our self-identity, embedded in our daily lives, values, and biological rhythms.
At the Medical University of Graz, Professor Jolana Wagner-Skacel works at the intersection of mind and body. Her approach is holistic, her perspective clear: resolutions don’t fail due to a lack of discipline, but due to flawed construction.
The Biopsychosocial Approach to Well-being
Professor Wagner-Skacel’s department at the Medical University of Graz provides care to patients throughout the university hospital – from cardiology and oncology to intensive care. This reflects a biopsychosocial approach: the body and mind constantly influence each other. The department works closely with somatic (body-focused) medical fields.
Why Resolutions Matter
From a psychological standpoint, resolutions are valuable. Humans consider in timelines, and our identity is shaped by the past, present, and future. Resolutions aid us situate ourselves in the future. We thrive on routines – daily, and within the annual cycle – as they provide a sense of security.
The Resolution Failure Rate: A Matter of Design
Despite their potential, many resolutions fail. Professor Wagner-Skacel explains this isn’t due to a lack of willpower, but to poor planning. “I want to live healthier” is a wish, not a resolution. A more effective resolution might be: “I will eat a handful of nuts at 4 PM on weekdays to combat fatigue.” This is specific, integrated into the daily rhythm, and realistic. Goals must appear achievable, or they undermine motivation and self-worth.
Values as the Cornerstone of Change
Personal values play a crucial role. Resolutions shouldn’t be externally driven. If you do something because others approve, but it doesn’t resonate with you, it won’t last. Sustainable change is always aligned with your identity.
The Gut-Brain Connection: Nutrition and Mental Health
Professor Wagner-Skacel’s work also focuses on the relationship between nutrition and mental health. Diet significantly impacts our neurotransmitters – serotonin, noradrenaline, melatonin – all of which depend on micronutrients. She notes that a single banana isn’t enough; the body needs zinc, vitamin B6, and other co-enzymes to complete the necessary processes. Nutrition is a quiet, yet powerful lever for psychological well-being.
“For me, ‘being for each other’ is more essential than simply ‘being with each other.’”
Specialized Nutritional Psychiatry Services
The Medical University of Graz has established a specialized outpatient clinic with Sabrina Leal Garzia for Nutritional Psychiatry. They conduct detailed micronutrient analyses, and demand for these services is high. This field is gaining international recognition, particularly as mental illnesses are increasingly understood as inflammatory-metabolic processes.
Reflection, Not Just Optimization
Professor Wagner-Skacel herself reflects at the turn of the year, not in terms of self-optimization, but to assess her actions. How do I live? What do I do for others? “For me, ‘being for each other’ is more important than simply ‘being with each other,’” she says. “That provides support – and value.”
Three Tips for Successful Resolutions
If asked for three concise tips for successful resolutions, Professor Wagner-Skacel recommends: First, formulate them concretely and realistically. Second, embed them socially – it’s easier together. Third, plan for failure and reflect on it, rather than devaluing yourself. Change is a process, not a performance test.
Med Uni Graz
The Med Uni Graz forms a center of innovative, state-of-the-art medicine in southern Austria and is simultaneously an attractive place to live and work for employees and students and an essential part of patient care at the location.
More than 2,500 employees in scientific and non-scientific areas and around 5,800 students work together with a spirit of innovation for the health and well-being of patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are New Year’s resolutions really effective?
They can be, but success depends on how they are formulated. Concrete, realistic goals tied to personal values are more likely to be achieved.
How does nutrition impact mental health?
Nutrition significantly affects neurotransmitters, which play a vital role in mood and cognitive function. A balanced diet with sufficient micronutrients is essential for psychological well-being.
What is Nutritional Psychiatry?
Nutritional Psychiatry is a growing field that explores the connection between diet and mental health, and utilizes dietary interventions as part of treatment plans.
What should I do if I fail to meet a resolution?
View failure as a learning opportunity. Reflect on what went wrong and adjust your approach, rather than becoming discouraged.
