Everyone makes resolutions this time of year. People want to see themselves improving, and the new beginning of a new year fills people with enthusiasm for growth and change. But how many of us can last more than a month before we break them?
Resolutions often involve eating less or exercising more, but what about resolutions that have a profound impact on your health and community? There is no reason to use resolutions to feel badly about oneself, instead it makes a lot of sense to create resolutions that can continue the positive changes that are a natural result of advancing in life and career. Resolutions that are more than just simple promises are more likely to be kept.
Here are three resolutions for 2018 that have nothing to do with a scale:
1. Resolve to focus on your mental health
So many of us focus on our bodies and how much we weigh, but what about mental health? Take time to relax this year. Meditate. Travel. Talk to a friend about what’s troubling you. Start a spiritual journey. Whatever you do, make it a priority to give your mind plenty of time to recharge and renew.
2. Resolve to give back to your community
You only live once, so why not make your mark? This year, make it a goal to do something that makes a difference. Give a little more than usual to your local charity. Take your kids with you and pick-up trash at the local park. Plant a tree. Donate clothes or food to those in need. Between the fires, floods, and hurricanes this past year, there are a lot of people in need. Resolve to be someone who helps with the healing and restoration.
3. Resolve to learn something new
The human mind is amazing. It craves knowledge and novelty. And no matter your age, you can learn a new skill. Maybe this is the year you take a writing course at a local community college? Learn a new language? Take a painting class? Resolve to make the most of the mind you’ve been given by challenging it this year. Your brain will thank you.
2018 could be the year you renew your mind, give back to your community, and learn something new. Sounds exciting doesn’t it? By connecting your resolutions to meaningful endeavors that have a lasting impact on your life and community, chances are you’ll stick to them.
4 Ways to Set Resolutions You Can Keep
Keeping the health and wellness resolutions that are so common this time of year are harder than most people think. Make sure to follow these tips to make sure you are one of the success stories!
Set Measurable, Achievable Goals
When, for instance, your goal is to be more hydrated in the New Year, it is better to find a way to measure and note achievement for that goal to be a success. By saying that you plan to carry a water bottle 4 days a week for the month of January, or you plan to drink an extra 24 ounces of water each day for 8 weeks, you are choosing a measurable goal that allows you to scale up your water drinking when you check in on the goal. Your chance of success goes up!
Make a Detailed Plan of Action
With a goal like exercising more during one’s busy day, it makes sense to plan ahead. Just wanting to exercise won’t make time in your schedule! Instead, find a planner or a calendar page that you can use to budget time for the goals themselves. Make sure that activities like going to the gym include enough time for driving to the gym and changing clothes, since budgeting too little time makes it much easier to skip the workout. If you know the time is too short no matter what you do, look for intermediary options: how can you fit in a 15 minute walk, or 5 minutes of stretching at your desk? Planning ahead means your goals will also fit your regular life.
Be Specific About Your Improvement
Many of us have the goal of “getting healthy” in the first part of the year, specifically in regards to our diets. However, we are more likely to succeed when we choose a particular item to remove from our diets, or a particular amount of total calories to aim for. Removing french fries, adding in four spinach salads per week, and tracking calories to make sure the total intake is reasonable would be an example of a way to make sure that the goal of “eating healthier food” can actually be met.
Proactively Seek Assistance
Many people imagine that goals and resolutions are things they must do alone. However, many resolutions require you to seek help from a professional to get the answers you need.
For instance, if you’ve been suffering from pain in your legs due to varicose veins, it isn’t enough to just assume that they will improve with exercise or diet. Have them treated by professionals.
And don’t forget aesthetic improvements. If you’re tired of looking older and want to make 2018 a year of improvement, we can help with a variety of services in Kansas City from laser hair removal to spider vein removal to body contouring.
If you’re ready to take action, a professional at the Vein Clinic can help you discover your options and emerge with less pain and better looking legs. Seeking assistance is a great way to resolve to better your health and wellness and actually get the results you want.
Make 2018 a great one, and if you’re curious about the services the Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City provides, give us a call at (913) 541-3377 or contact us online.
