As January comes to a close and we all look into the forecast of 40-degree weather (heat wave), many also look back at the month and how New Year’s resolutions are going. Did you make a resolution? If so, take some time to consider what is working for you. If not, you can make goals no matter the time of the year. Think about where in your life you would like to step things up or make a change.
The goal is not to add more pressure to an already difficult time, but to identify goals that could help you feel better and have more energy at the end of the day. And instead of making only a year-long resolution, how about taking that resolution and breaking it down into quarterly or monthly 'mini-resolutions'? This may keep you motivated throughout the entire year.
Ask yourself these questions as you ponder your goals for this year:
- What did you learn about yourself in 2023?
- What new (healthy) habit have you wanted to get into for a while now?
- How can you invest in yourself?
- What do you want to feel more of in 2024? What emotion are you looking for? Perhaps you want to feel less overwhelmed and more at peace, or maybe you want to feel more connected to others and less isolated.
Talk with your friends and family about these questions; they are important ones. Once you’ve pondered these questions, make a list of your answers. After careful consideration, cross off the ideas you have for goals, habits, or resolutions that simply aren’t realistic, or don’t inspire you. There’s no shame in narrowing things down!
Goals and resolutions can shape our behavior for the better. Our habits can make us feel happier, healthier, and more connected to those around us.
Ideas:
- Conduct a closet raid. Go through your clothes and donate what you no longer need or want.
- Be kind on social media. Steer clear of gossip, negativity, and unnecessary drama. Instead share words of affirmation; spread positivity. There is always someone out there feeling down. Be the person who lifts them up.
- Send handwritten thank you notes to the important people in your life. In the age of technology, handwritten letters have become a lost art. However, it is a genuine, thoughtful gesture that your loved ones will appreciate and cherish.
- Start a new hobby that can also be shared with others. If you take up baking, drop off homemade goodies on a neighbor’s doorstep; if you take up knitting or sewing, learn to make newborn hats or blankets and donate them to a local hospital; if you’re interested in journalism or family ancestry, interview grandparents or other family members over the phone; you’ll be documenting your family history and they’re sure to love that you are interested in the stories they have to tell.
- Do random acts of kindness. Shovel someone’s driveway, give your mom flowers for no reason, babysit for a struggling parent for free, offer to walk your neighbor’s dog for them, create “get well” cards to send to patients in the hospital. Use your creativity—the possibilities are endless.
Children of all ages can and should be encouraged to do the same. So, let’s challenge each other with pens and papers in hand (or a note on your phone) and get started. Two essential points for a healthy mind and body, as we all know, is to exercise regularly and to make good dietary choices. But there are a variety of other self-care items and resolutions that can also be included on our 2024 checklists.
For additional resources and ideas for self-care, contact the NE Prevention Resource Center at 605-884-3518 or visit
www.humanserviceagency.org. Like us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/NEPRC.HSA to stay informed.
By: Kelli Rumpza, Prevention Specialist
Human Service Agency
Source:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/.