New York Ƶ A new year is the time to set new goals. Yet studies have shown that most people donƵt tend to uphold their New YearƵs resolutions much past the first month.
In an attempt to reframe the thinking around new year goal-setting, a new wellness trend has popped up online. ItƵs called the ƵWinter Arc.Ƶ
HereƵs what to know.
What is the Winter Arc?
The goal-setting challenge was created online by fitness and wellness influencers, so there isnƵt a one-size-fits-all approach or standard definition. There are over 400,000 posts on Instagram with the caption #winterarc, and almost 600,000 on TikTok.
For many of those trying the trend, the Winter Arc involves utilizing the cold, dark earlier months of winter to turn inward and get a jump start on their goals, with the intent of having them in place by the time Jan. 1 rolls around.
ItƵs also meant to encourage participants to be extremely disciplined and rigid with their goals since itƵs a shorter period to get them done rather than an entire year, or indefinitely.
Laura Galebe, an influencer and the self-proclaimed ƵCEO of Glowup Series,Ƶ posts videos to her social media accounts talking about her Winter Arc experience. She used the time to commit to Ƶwalking every day, journaling, and sticking to (her) skincare and wellness routines.Ƶ
ƵI found it very transformative both mentally and physically,Ƶ Galebe says. ƵThe consistent movement helped me stay energized and the structure made the season feel a lot less heavy.Ƶ
How can you participate?
Although some say the Winter Arc challenge can begin in October, itƵs never too late to start. According to Alex Rothstein, an exercise psychologist with the New York Institute of Technology, the best way to dive in is to carve out time each day to work on your goals.
ƵIf you make sure to actively plan and schedule each commitment,Ƶ Rothstein says, Ƶyou will have an easier time adhering to the program.Ƶ
He also recommends setting reasonable, realistic goals that are achievable from day to day. ƵRecognize that if unforeseen circumstances cause you to miss a day or miss a specific goal in a day, it does not mean you failed the entire process,Ƶ he says. ƵYou should be willing to pick up where you started the next day.Ƶ
Galebe recommends finding ways to make fitness Ƶcozy and convenientƵ in the cold winter months.
ƵIf the thought of heading to the gym in freezing weather is demotivating, consider at-home workouts or joining a heated indoor Pilates or yoga studio,Ƶ she says. ƵAnother tip is to reframe movement as self-care. Winter is tough on your body and mind so I treat my walks or workouts as part of keeping my overall mental and physical health in check.Ƶ
To recap:
- Set realistic, attainable goals.
- Plan out your routine and find the time in your schedule in advance.
- Be OK with missing a day, giving yourself the space to pick up where you left off.
- Find cozy and convenient ways to stay active in the colder months.
WhatƵs the point?
Elliot Berkman, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, says that goal progress, rather than simply goal attainment, is psychologically beneficial. He says it can provide Ƶpositive emotion, a sense of purpose and meaning as well as agency and autonomy.Ƶ
When it comes to goal-setting in a short, specific period of time, like the Winter Arc, he says those parameters can be helpful. ƵPutting a time bound on a goal can improve the chances the goal is achieved. ItƵs easier to maintain motivation if you know that you get to stop at some point as opposed to feeling like you need to keep up the hard work indefinitely, which can be demotivating.Ƶ
Some on social media have made comparisons between short-term fitness challenges and crash diets, with the idea being that once the challenge stops, one could return to unhealthy habits. But experts say thatƵs not necessarily true.
ƵIf the challenge is used to help establish new and healthier habits for long term health and wellness, than the challenges are exceptionally useful to help guide and motivate to create these changes,Ƶ Rothstein says. He recommends making a plan toward the end of the challenge to continue keeping up with your goals in an attainable and realistic way.
