New York (AP) — As we enter a new year, many of us are eager to set new goals. However, research indicates that most people struggle to maintain their New Year’s resolutions beyond the first month. In an effort to shift the perspective on goal-setting for the new year, a new wellness trend has emerged online, known as the “Winter Arc.”
What is the Winter Arc?
The Winter Arc challenge was initiated by fitness and wellness influencers online, meaning there is no fixed approach or standardized definition. The hashtag #winterarc has garnered over 400,000 posts on Instagram and nearly 600,000 on TikTok.
For many participants, the Winter Arc involves embracing the cold and dark early months of winter as an opportunity to focus inward and kickstart their goals, aiming to have them established by the start of January. The challenge encourages individuals to be disciplined and focused on their objectives within a condensed timeframe, rather than over an entire year or indefinitely.
Laura Galebe, an influencer known as the “CEO of Glowup Series,” shares her Winter Arc journey on social media, where she committed to daily walks, journaling, and maintaining her skincare and wellness routines. She describes the experience as both mentally and physically transformative, attributing consistent movement to keeping her energized and a structured approach to lightening the season’s load.
How can you get involved?
While some suggest starting the Winter Arc challenge in October, there is no set time to begin. According to exercise psychologist Alex Rothstein from the New York Institute of Technology, dedicating time each day to work on your goals is key. Rothstein advises actively planning and scheduling commitments to enhance adherence to the program.
He also emphasizes setting realistic and achievable daily goals, with the understanding that missing a day or falling short of a specific goal does not equate to overall failure. Maintaining resilience and resuming your efforts the following day is crucial.
Galebe suggests adapting fitness routines to be comfortable and accessible during the winter months. She recommends at-home workouts or joining heated indoor Pilates or yoga studios as alternatives to braving the cold outdoors. Viewing movement as a form of self-care can help prioritize mental and physical well-being during the challenging winter season.
In summary:
– Establish realistic and reachable goals.
– Plan your routine in advance and allocate time in your schedule.
– Accept setbacks and resume your efforts without self-judgment.
– Discover cozy and convenient ways to stay active in colder weather.
What’s the purpose?
Psychology professor Elliot Berkman from the University of Oregon highlights the psychological benefits of making progress towards goals, not just achieving them. He explains that goal progress can evoke positive emotions, purpose, meaning, and a sense of agency and autonomy. In the context of a focused timeframe like the Winter Arc, setting time-bound goals can enhance motivation and increase the likelihood of accomplishment.
At a certain juncture, rather than feeling pressured to sustain intense effort indefinitely, which can potentially lead to loss of motivation, some individuals have drawn parallels between short-term fitness challenges and crash diets on social media. The implication is that once the challenge concludes, reverting to unhealthy behaviors may ensue. However, experts caution against accepting this notion at face value.
“If the challenge is leveraged as a tool to cultivate enduring, healthier routines for overall well-being, then these challenges can be instrumental in motivating and steering individuals toward effecting lasting changes,” remarks Rothstein. In order to perpetuate progress beyond the challenge period, he advises devising a post-challenge strategy that allows for the sustained pursuit of objectives in a feasible and practical manner.
