Enjoy a new-year STATE OF MIND!

What's your plan for 2026? Maybe it's time to ditch the predictable same-old goals and switch gears in favour of long-term wellness

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As the new year rolls around, many of us are tempted to set those typical resolutions: lose weight, join a local gym or cut out sugar completely.

But let's be honest – how many of those stick past February? Instead of focusing on rigid goals that generally only make us feel guilty when we slip up, rethinking our approach could mean we're more likely to hit them.

“Goals fall down for a number of reasons,” explains psychologist Dr Rachael Sharman. “They may have been poorly planned, unrealistic and not prioritised for when life gets in the way. As the old saying goes, a goal is a dream with a plan. It's not good enough just to have an idea of what you want to do – you also need a clear road map.”

But as anyone who has ever put off a task for months knows, if something isn't enjoyable, we're unlikely to find the idea of doing it very appealing.

“When it comes to engaging in undesirable behaviours, rewarding yourself somehow for meeting your target is an oldie but a goodie,” says Rachael. “For example, you can buy a new item of clothing if you do a certain number of workouts that week.”

The end goal is to not only reach the target you've set, but to also make it a habit.

“After a period of time, even boring routines become habitual and that's what you're aiming for in the long run,” she says. “How often do you even think about putting on a seatbelt or cleaning your teeth? They've become ingrained habits you do without a second thought.”

If you're looking to improve your overall health and wellbeing, here are some good places to start.

1 Prioritise sleep quality over quantity

We've all heard it before: get eight hours of sleep a night. However, experts have found it's not just about the amount of sleep you're getting, but also how restful that sleep is. Improving sleep quality can profoundly affect your health – from boosting your immune system to enhancing your mental clarity.