New Year, New Alignment: Proven Strategies to Keep Your Resolutions (And Your Spine) on Track

Why Resolutions Fail and How Your Systems are the Key

A New Year is upon us, meaning it's the perfect opportunity to evaluate our current habits, and set new goals for the year ahead. Unfortunately, the reality is that only 8-12% of new year's resolutions succeed long term. Your resolutions likely aren't failing because you're lazy or undisciplined, but because your systems aren't effective. This means you either aren't setting the right goals, or you aren't implementing them properly. In this article we are going to reveal how to set the right goals by evaluating who you are and who you want to become, as well as breaking down most effective techniques to make new habits stick.

Simple Steps for Successful New Year's Resolutions

1. 2025 Audit!

   Look through all the pictures in your camera roll from the past year.

   Ask yourself "Who was I this year? - what did I do, how did I act, feel, and think?", and "Who do I want to become? -What do they do, how do they act, feel, and think?"
   

2. Stop, Start, Continue

   Keeping the person you want to become in mind, create a three column list (on paper, or online) with all the habits you want to remove, the habits you want to continue, and the habits you want to start.

   1. ie: I want to stop checking my phone when I wake up, continue stretching every evening, and start walking in the mornings.

3. Set SMART Goals

   On the same document, look at your start list to create 2-3 goals to focus on for the first 3 months of the year (disclaimer: you can choose whatever number of goals and timeline that is achievable for you).

   1. Make sure these goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

4. Cue, Routine, Reward

   For each habit you are going to do to achieve your goals, write down a cue (ie: time, location, event), a routine (the habit that will help you achieve your goal), and a reward (what our brain gets out of it).

For the Smart Goal example below, there would be a cue, routine and reward for the chiropractic appointment, and for doing the posture exercises. For doing the posture exercises the cue could be Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 8:00AM; the routine would be the exercises provided by Dr. Thomas, and the reward could be checking the box off your to-do list, or drinking your morning tea or coffee after you do the exercises.

The Science of Chiropractic Adjustments: Their Role in Creating Lasting Habits and a Healthier Life

While improving your fitness and nutrition are both important goals for the health of your future self, so is receiving regular chiropractic care. A chiropractic adjustment is a controlled, precise force to specific vertebra that corrects subluxations to restore proper spinal alignment. Not only do these adjustments reduce pain and improve mobility, but they reduce pressure on nerves which in turn improves communication between the brain and body. This improved neural communication can potentially translate to increased energy levels throughout the day, and improved motivation so you can better achieve your other goals.

Thomas Back and Body's Proven Approach: Your Partner in Lasting Change

At Thomas Back and Body, we offer a comprehensive treatment plan that is customized to every patient's needs. Including chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and a customized exercise rehabilitation protocol. Make consistent chiropractic care your first goal for 2026 and watch your other goals follow.

Ready to make 2026 be the year that you become your ideal self? Book an initial assessment with Thomas Back and Body today to align your spine, achieve your resolutions, and start 2026 stronger.

Questions? Contact Us!