Time of Year

Everyone likes to start the New Year afresh and this often involves making a ritual list of life-enhancing resolutions which are often abandoned by February.  The main problem making these declarations is that they are too vague and generalised to be kept, so start 2009 with a fresh outlook and some help in keeping yours.

 

1. Lose weight.  This is the most common resolution, but also the most unsuccessful.  You need to add a time frame and a specific goal.  For example, rephrase it as “I will lose half a stone by Valentine’s Day” and you will have much more motivation to keep to it.  Consider joining your local slimming group for extra motivation and support.

 

2. Take more exercise.  Once again, you need to be motivated by a more concrete resolution.  Paying to join a gym is one way of doing this, but a better way is to join with some friends so you can encourage each other.  Alternatively, resolve to walk a certain distance each day: buy a pedometer and watch your steps grow as you get healthier.

 

3. Cut down on drinking.  It’s very easy to open a bottle of wine in the evening as a ‘wind-down’ moment after the children have gone to bed.  More often, this “just one glass” becomes an entire bottle or even more.  Choose a smaller glass and drink slowly.  Water down your drink by creating spritzers.  Create alcohol-free days for yourself and ask for help if you feel you may have a problem giving up alcohol.

 

4. Sorting out finances.  In these hard times, most people are finding life tough, especially at this time of year.  Contact an independent financial advisor or look at www.moneysavingexpert.com for a wealth of information to help you get your finances in order, from budgeting tools to investment advice.

 

5. Do more with the children.  Quality time with your children is of huge benefit to them and to you.  It is quality, rather then quantity that’s important here so even an hour spent doing arts and crafts, or simply going for a walk is better than the same amount of time in front of the TV.  You are creating memories for them that will last a lifetime.  Why not join TumbleTots or similar for some wonderful quality time?

 

6. Spend more time with family and friends.  This is all down to making the effort.  Reply to emails instantly so they don’t get lost in your inbox or rediscover the lost art of letter writing.  Make regular phone calls to friends and family.  Arrange a regular ‘date’ with your spouse to help strengthen your relationship.

 

7. More ‘me-time’.  Define what you really like to do in your ‘me-time’.  Do you want to spend time reading quietly or hitting the shops?  Perhaps ‘me-time’ for you is treating yourself to a massage or pampering session.  Schedule this in your diary and consider it booked time, like a dentist appointment and not to be cancelled.

 

8. Redecorate the house.  Again, this is too vague to keep, so break it down into manageable chunks within a time frame.  Choose a room and set a date for completion and get in help if necessary.

 

9. Give up smoking.  Plenty of help is available to those wishing to quit smoking including numerous items for sale over-the-counter.  Perhaps hypnotherapy or acupuncture would work for you.  GPs also offer advice and many have a special clinic available to support this.  A useful website is http://gosmokefree.nhs.uk/

 

10. Study or learn a new skill.  Take the first step by researching the course you’d like to do.  Local evening classes or the Open University?  Maybe you want to learn to drive or ride a bike, so again, look to your local area for available classes.  Many local councils run courses in bicycle riding.

 

The key to achieving your resolutions is to be motivated to continue with them, set sensible goals with a timescale and get as many people as you can to support you.

Good luck and happy and healthy New Year!

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