New Year, New You…Right?

It’s that time of year again, and you probably feel the pressure to think of a good New Year’s resolution that you can actually manage to keep. There’s a lot of hype around the “new year, new you” idea and while that can be the motivation some people need, it often wears off in a few days. If you have a habit you want to change or add to your routine, it is best to focus on changing who you are rather than focusing on the results you want. While this sounds like a big task, it is simpler than you think. For example, if you resolve to exercise every day, your focus shouldn’t be on the results you want from the exercise, but rather on changing your identity to being a physically fit person. This will bring you the results you’re hoping for and make your goal much more achievable. We have a few actionable ideas for senior resolutions that you can actually stick to!

A Positive Mind

Keeping a positive mindset can improve your health and has been linked to a lower risk of memory loss, injury, and feelings of loneliness and isolation while increasing preventive care. Positive thinking doesn’t mean you have your head in the clouds but rather that you choose to look at the positives over the negatives. An easy way to start being more positive is to write down three things you’re grateful for every morning. They can be as simple as a warm cup of coffee or the more important things like your family. Making this a daily practice will allow the positivity to seep into the rest of your life. When you find yourself getting down about something, we challenge you to find the good in the moment and remember it doesn’t always have to be one or the other, you can acknowledge being grateful and frustrated at the same time.

Daily Exercise

Committing to a daily exercise routine is one of the most common resolutions out there and also the most failed resolution out there. As we mentioned earlier, when you’re committing to a resolution like this you really need to commit to changing who you are rather than just making the commitment for the results. Choosing to become a physically active person is bigger than the results, and all you need to start is 10 minutes a day. We encourage you to find an exercise program or routine that gets you excited and plan to do it right after you wake up in the morning. Figure out what you need to make this routine work. Maybe you watch a morning talk show while you work out, maybe you attend a class, or maybe you just crank your favorite tunes!

Stimulate Your Mind

Challenging your mind is crucial for staying mentally sharp as you age and reducing the chances of memory loss conditions like dementia. Challenging your mind can be easy, simple activities like daily reading or puzzles. Joining a book club is a great way to stay accountable. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can learn to play an instrument or even take on learning a new language! The possibilities here are endless, and it’s important to keep trying new things.

Intentional Goals for 2023

Whatever goal or resolution you choose for 2023, make sure it is something you can stick to. If you are still considering how to best stick to your goal, make a plan before the new year on actionable steps you can take toward your goal. Break your goal down into small steps, even if you start at ten minutes a day- it’s a start, and that’s all that matters. Living at a senior living community like UMC at Bristol Glen can actually make it easier to commit to your goal. With exercise and activity classes available every day, you’ll always have an opportunity to stay fit and try something new.

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