SFU experts on New Year’s resolutions and what we might expect in 2024

As new year gets underway, people are taking stock and trying to make changes in their lives, while others are wondering what might happen in the year to come. New Year’s resolutions often take the form of fitness or health goals but can include pledges to be more mindful, spend more time with family and friends, or accomplish something special, like learning a new language. Simon Fraser University experts can weigh-in on different New Year’s resolutions and what’s in store for 2024.

WHAT IS HIIT AND HOW CAN IT HELP NEW YEAR'S FITNESS GOALS

You may have heard of HIIT, but what is it? SFU’s Alexandra Coates, who is also a high-level runner, can explain how high-intensity interval training can help people reach their New Year’s fitness goals, whether they’re a performance athlete, or someone interested in getting healthy and improving their cardiorespiratory fitness.

Coates says HIIT is a great option because it can be performed in very short periods of time (think exercise snacks) and will give similar or sometimes superior benefits to fitness and health than doing long, easy or moderate bouts of cardio. Her latest research on HIIT.

ALEXANDRA COATES, assistant professor, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, alexandra_coates@sfu.ca

INCREASING HAPPINESS IN 2024

Looking for tips on how to increase your happiness in 2024? SFU Distinguished Professor Lara Aknin runs the Helping and Happiness Lab at SFU and can speak about what makes people happy and the emotional consequences of generous behaviour.

LARA AKNIN, associate professor, psychology, 604.729.9571, laknin@sfu.ca

BEING MORE MINDFUL IN 2024

SFU psychology expert Hali Kil can give advice on how parents can help instill mindfulness and kindness in children, a topic she recently wrote about.

HALI KIL, assistant professor, psychology, hali_kil@sfu.ca

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR 2024

After a tumultuous 2023, SFU experts are available to speak to ongoing issues and offer insights on what we might see in 2024.

ANDREY PAVLOV, professor, finance, 604.763.3696, apavlov@sfu.ca

• Available to talk about interest rates and their impact on housing affordability in Vancouver.

ANIL HIRA, professor, political science, ahira@sfu.ca

• Available to speak about the repercussions from the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) and the challenges around Canada’s plan to triple its nuclear energy use, including a lack of a plan for nuclear waste.
• Hira can also speak to the upcoming U.S. election and the ongoing war in the Ukraine.

ANDY YAN, director, City Program, ayan@sfu.ca

• Available to speak to this year’s B.C. property assessments.

SANJAY JERAM, professor, political science, sjeram@sfu.ca

• Can talk about the major issues and set the stage for the upcoming provincial election this fall (Oct. 19).

JAMES HORNCASTLE, assistant professor, The Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, jhorncas@sfu.ca

• Can speak to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and says that Ukraine can still defeat Russia, but needs the right tools, a topic that he recently wrote about.

CONTACT

JEFF HODSON, SFU Communications & Marketing 
jdhodson@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210

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