Consider 10-minute exercise for a New Year’s Resolution by Dr. Hailey Jackson

It’s that time of year again — the time a lot of us try to incorporate change, set new goals, or try to implement new routines. A lot of times, these goals or resolutions are exercise or movement related, so it’s only fitting that I share a few things to keep in mind if you want these habits to turn into long term changes. 

If exercise is new to you, keep in mind that research shows that 10 minutes of movement per day is beneficial. So, if setting aside 30 minutes that you already don’t have feels daunting, remember that just 10 minutes is beneficial for your health. Once you have made a routine out of 10 minutes, consider increasing the duration. 

Additionally, movement should both feel good and be something you truly enjoy. Movement should not be painful, and continuing to partake in movement that doesn’t feel good only creates negative associations with movement. 

Accountability always helps with new exercise routines, so consider finding a workout partner or joining a group exercise class. There’s no better way to create a lasting bond than sweating together! 

Lastly, consider tracking progress qualitatively rather than qualitatively. It is easiest to track numbers (weight, inches, etc), so we often default to this, but when we don’t see progress or changes as quickly as we expect to, we stop doing whatever it was we were doing to hope to see these changes. Instead, try tracking things like sleep quality, energy levels, mood, and mental clarity. If these are improving, I bet the quantitative measures you are hoping to improve do too.