New Year’s resolutions are a bit like babies: they’re fun to make and extremely difficult to maintain! It’s hard to keep up the enthusiasm months after you’ve swept up the confetti, but it’s not impossible. Why not choose one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it?
Lose weight: Take is slow and beware of the “valley of quickie cures.” Use a food journal and keep track of what you eat and as someone to act as your support system. Around week 4 to 6 is when you will need them the most!
Stay in Touch: It’s good for your health to reconnect with old friends and keep in touch. Research suggests that people with strong social ties live longer than those who don’t.
Quit smoking: Worried that you have failed too many times to try quitting again? Talk to an ex-smoker, and you’ll see that multiple attempts are often the path to success. And think about how much money you will save!!
Save Money: And speaking of saving money – you can save money by making healthy lifestyle changes. Walk or ride your bike to the store – or team up with a neighbor to carpool for shopping or other transportation needs. Cut back on gym memberships – exercise at home or, if you are lucky enough to live at Summerfields West, there’s a gym in the Recreation Center there for all residents to use!
Cut Your Stress: A little pressure now and again is ok, in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But don’t let it get chronic – it can increase your risk of…. Or worsen…. Insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more! Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress. It’s an inevitable part of life. Try adding more relaxation, sleep, socializing, and even taking vacations – all things we tell ourselves we deserve but don’t allow ourselves to have. Be healthier in 2018! Just do it!
Volunteer: Our happiness increases when we help others. And guess what? Happiness is good for your health! A 2010 study found that people with positive emotions were about 20% less likely than their gloomier peers to have a heart attack or develop heart disease. Other research suggest that positive emotions can make people more resilient and resourceful.
Make this resolution and you may find that you have obtained a tremendous benefit in the happiness department in 2018!
Go Back to School: Doesn’t matter how old you are, heading back to the classroom can help you meet new friends, revamp your career, and even boost your brainpower! Studies have found that going back to school later in life helps build stronger memories and verbal skills, and some studies have linked higher educational attainment to decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cut Back on Alcohol: A lot has been written on the benefits of a small amount of alcohol, too much tippling is still the bigger problem. Drinking alcohol in excess affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, or even seizures. Chronic heavy drinking boosts your risk of liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and mental deterioration, and even cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast.
Get More Sleep: You probably already know that a good nights sleep can do wonders for your mood….and your appearance. But sleep is more beneficial to your health than you might realize. Lack of sleep puts you at a greater risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sleep is crucial for strengthening memories (a process called consolidation).
Travel: The joy of traveling can last long after the suitcase is put away. Traveling allows us to tap into life as an adventure, we can make changes in our lives without having to do anything too bold or dramatic. Travel makes you feel rejuvenated and replenished. It gets you out of your typical scenery, and the effects are revitalizing. It’s great for the body and soul.