Tips for a Happy and Healthy New Year
If you want to make some changes in your life, there's no better time to start than the new year. January 1 is a built-in reset and a great time to reflect on the past 365 days, set goals and put a plan together for a happy and healthy new year.
Reflect on the Year
Chances are, some things went well for you in the new year, and a few things didn't work out as you planned. As 2021 comes to an end, reflect on both the good and the bad. Make a list of the top things you're most proud of, and a few areas you wish would have gone differently. Some highlights from your year can include spending time with family, cooking more meals at home, or taking steps to address a health concern. Some things you may want to work on could include not sticking to an exercise routine as much as you wanted to or feeling overwhelmed by financial stress. Your list doesn't have to be exhaustive but should give you a good starting point for setting goals in the new year.
Set Goals
Once you've identified your 2021 peaks and valleys, the next step is to set goals for what you'd live to improve or accomplish in the new year. An excellent place to start is looking at what you weren't satisfied with the year before and creating a change goal. If you felt like you could have taken better care of your physical self, you can make a goal to improve your health. Or if you spend a lot of unwanted time alone, maybe in the new year, you focus on building up your social life. If you'd like to work on a few areas of your life, set individual goals. Keep your goals broad and write them down.
Make a Plan
Goals are great, but it's hard to hold yourself accountable without a plan. If you've written down multiple goals, narrow your list down to your top two or three. Having more than three aspirations for the new year can feel overwhelming. Write down three to five actionable steps you can take to reach your goal for each goal. Maybe you're feeling lost financially. A few actionable steps could include making a budget or working with a financial advisor. If you want to take better care of your health, you can schedule routine doctor's appointments, sign up for a fitness class, or hire an at-home caregiver.
Once you have action items for each goal, put a deadline for when you want to accomplish each task. It doesn't have to be a specific date but estimate a month when you'd like to have it done in the upcoming year. This deadline isn't permanent. As the year unfolds, it's okay to reassess your goals and timelines, but having some due date puts more accountability on reaching your goals.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
If 2021 brought challenges that made it difficult to age in place, you might want to consider a part-time or full-time caregiver. The team of caregivers at Visiting Angels Northeast Ohio can assist with various non-medical tasks such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparations, transportation, personal grooming, and more. Our Mentor office serves those in Lake, Geauga, and Northeast Cuyahoga counties. If you'd like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at (440) 974-0869.