How New Year’s Eve Originated? It May Surprise You!

by Susan Cross | Posted: December 27th, 2011 | No Comments »

The end of the year is approaching and we’re making our collective party plans, that no doubt include imbibing as much as possible and staying awake until the wee hours of the next day. This got me wondering about how New Year’s Eve originated. I was sure, that like most traditions it would be steeped in ritual and meaning. So why has it now become the time of year when we vow to go to the gym, stop drinking and become better humans on the first day of each new year? Surely the origin must date to pre-Christian, ancient Roman days to incorporate such self-flagellation. Well, in a way, this is true.

The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. to Janus, a mythical king of early Rome. Janus possessed two faces, one looking back on past events, with the other looking forward to the future. This is why we have the tradition of reflecting on the year that is ending while at the same time thinking about the year to come. The Romans placed their King at the head of the calendar, or as we know it, January. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies. To do this they exchanged gifts before the beginning of the next calendar year, January 1. This tradition definitely caught on. The Babylonians believed that whatever a person did on the first day of the year had an effect all year long. Hence, making a resolution with sincere intentions is a great way to begin the New Year. Isn’t it easier to make your positive resolutions now that you realize they’re steeped in tradition? Who doesn’t want a new beginning, a fresh start?

There was also the holiday of Saturnalia, originating from the God Saturn. Saturnalia marked the winter solstice, December 21st, and the celebration was said to last for days, and one couldn’t go to sleep. Now I understand this staying up late idea! The practice of staying awake was to honor the Sun in hope of her returning again. The holiday was spent in complete debauchery, so much so that the word saturnalia came to mean “orgy.” Once the Church claimed the winter solstice as Christmas (and it moved it a few days), Saturnalia was moved to the end of the year (New Year’s Eve).

Whatever the origin, the New Year is a great time to look at the changes we would like to make in our own lives. A resolution is a promise to our selves to make the next year a better one. A promise to ourselves! Could this be why so many of us don’t keep our resolutions? As women we are usually much better at keeping promises we make to others.

The meaning of Resolution:
1. A statement that solves a problem: “I am going to lose ten pounds to become healthier”.
2. A decision to do something: “I am going to eat better and join a gym”.
3. A formal statement of a decision: “I am going to eat well, exercise and have more energy to do what I love”.

So what happens between December 31st and the months thereafter? Is it willpower? A recent study conducted in Britain shows that willpower, like our muscles, can only exert itself for so long before it gives out. An accompanying survey comprising of 3000 people indicates that 88% of all resolutions fail. The bottom line, we change too many habits and our brain can’t handle it.

The part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for willpower is also responsible for focusing, problem solving and memory. Asking it to quit smoking, lose weight and go cold-turkey on the wine habit is like being the loser in the game Jenga. The brain can’t handle this much at once and the most recent changes go by the wayside and our resolutions come crashing to the ground, we feel worse about ourselves than before we made them. The good news is that failing to keep a resolution is not a character flaw. It is our wiring, our brain. You are not off the hook so quickly, we can reprogram ourselves and small changes are the way to get there.

For the New Year try making one healthier change per week. Just one a week. Small changes over time really add up, and are the best way to reach your wellness goals and keep those resolutions once and for all!

Happy New Year