A top psychotherapist is urging people to think very carefully about making New Year resolutions as breaking them can impact mental health.

Writing in her monthly Chronicle and Echo column, Liz Ritchie has questioned just how helpful making promises to better ourselves at the start of January can be.

She said: “New Year resolutions have become a popular way of marking the next 365 days and embarking on a new beginning.

“Overly optimistic resolutions could be to blame for creating a route to failure, but mentally when we fail to complete these ambitious tasks, some might find themselves dealing with a sense of self-loathing and defeatism.

“So, I would urge those who do want to make resolutions to pick wisely. I think the key to longevity is picking resolutions that you will enjoy as there is no point picking a promise that you begin to resent because you will just not stick to it.

Many people like to start the new year with a new fitness regime or a promise to lose weight, but according to research about 50 per cent of those who make resolutions fail to continue with them.

To read Liz’s column, click here.