Goal setters in the north offer tips on how to keep New Year's resolutions
One northern Ontario business owner, Sylvie Lamothe is on what she calls a 'worcation' in Sayulita, Mexico. It was a goal she set a year ago.
"And when September hit and I was looking at December I was just like there’s a three week break where all the work I’m doing is on my computer so I could do it from anywhere," said Lamothe, who is the owner of Rebel Soul in Timmins.
Lamothe told CTV News she is a big believer in writing down what she wants to achieve, like working outside of Canada if she so desires and bringing people together to practice yoga.
“I did my yoga teacher training five years ago,” she said.
“Ever since then I’ve been writing ‘yoga retreat’ in my journal, not knowing when it would happen; how it would happen, and now May 2023, I’m now hosting that yoga retreat."
Jeff Baldock, a psychotherapist in northern Ontario, said something happens to our brains when we write down what we resolve to do.
“It raises dopamine and serotonin levels by simply saying this is the target that we’re going for; it’s also very helpful by the way, to take some time to visualize that,” said Baldock, who is the owner of Framework Counselling Services in Timmins.
According to Time2Play, an online gambling website that conducted a survey of 1,000 Canadians, found that 62% of the respondents felt it was beneficial to make a New Year's resolution, but most of them lost motivation to follow it.
Baldock told CTV News one easier way to honour a resolution is to outline a break down for yourself of how you want to go about achieving it.
“We can set a big long goal for ourselves and taking each step in such a way that it’s reasonable, it’s realistic," he said.
Baldock added you'll be able to enjoy life much more this way and others will notice that too.
Additionally, Lamothe said, if you get off track, try not to get disappointed.
“Look at all the days I did do it, today’s ok to take a day off,” he said. “You know give yourself that grace to show up as a human, you are a human being, you will have bad days.”
Baldock says a friend of his, who was an athlete and an excellent business woman, had said one time; “Give ourselves twenty-four hours to bleed.”
The survey by Time2Play, also revealed that people in Newfoundland and Labrador are the most committed at keeping their New Year's resolutions and claimed to do so for six months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.