The New Year is a great time to get back on track with goals that may have been ignored during the holidays, but roughly 80 percent of people who make resolutions going into the new year will not stick to their intentions.
It takes a long time for an action to become a habit, so setting goals that are specific, measurable, realistic and actionable are good guidelines. The bottom line is to keep it simple and to be honest with where you are and how much of a change you can realistically expect to make.
Mary Nelle Osborne
Mary Nelle Osborne, MA, EdD, ATR, manager of recovery services at Peninsula’s Sevier location, shares tips for improving your overall health to make 2022 a year of success, confidence and happiness.
Improve your quality of sleep. Go to bed earlier during the week in order to get at least eight hours of sleep. Prepare for sleep by reducing screen time at least one hour before sleep. It’s been proven that those who spend less time on their phones and watching television are actually happier, healthier and less stressed daily.
Reduce or eliminate alcohol intake. Cutting back on alcohol has been shown to improve a person’s mood, health and can even help you look younger. Set a goal to cut back on how much you drink and when you drink by being conscious of how much you consume. If cutting back or stopping makes you anxious, there may be some dependency and you should talk to others about getting help.
Improve what you eat. One of the most popular and beneficial New Year’s goals is healthier eating. Setting a goal for a healthy diet can positively influence overall health. Weight loss may happen, but overall body functions will also improve. Try to replace unhealthy snacks with healthier options like veggies and hummus. Eliminate sodas and start drinking unsweetened tea and plenty of water.
Be proactive about medical care. Get caught up on your physical exams. Make sure that your physical, dental and vision appointments get made and follow through with them.
Start 10-minute exercise routines. If you want to make this the year you finally achieve your weight loss goals, you don’t have to start exercising aggressively. Just move
more! One of the best ways to stick to an exercise routine is to do 10-minute workouts. Stretching during the day helps prevent stiffness and soreness and helps with focus.
Learn to manage how you feel. It’s vital to learn how to identify and manage your feelings and emotions in order to be the best version of yourself. Creating a resolution to seek therapy, begin meditating or to improve your communication with others will undoubtedly benefit you and the lives of those around you.
Peninsula offers inpatient services for both adults and adolescents. A team approach using psychiatrists, nurses, counselors and discharge planners ensures individualized treatment plans and interventions for people in crisis. To find a program that’s right for your mental and behavioral health needs, call 865-970-9800 or visit PeninsulaBehavioralHealth.org/Services.
Information provided by marketing department of Covenant Health.