Health Tips: Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

Lose 5 pounds this year? Spend more time with your family? Find a new job? Millions of people make New Year's resolutions, but relatively few are successful in keeping them. This is evidenced by a 2007 study conducted by British psychologist Richard Wiseman who found that 88% of all resolutions end in failure. Not surprisingly, very little research has been published on the reasons why people are successful or unsuccessful with keeping New Year's resolutions. However, that hasn't kept a number of pundits from offering suggestions on improving your likelihood of success. The following are some of the most practical recommendations that I have come across:

1. Make one resolution only. Don't make the mistake of trying to achieve too much. For example, it makes little sense to try to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time. This is a formula for failure.
   
   


2. Be as specific as possible. Instead of saying, you want to lose weight, aim for a specific amount of weight (e.g. one pound) each week.
   
   
3. Focus on the positive aspects of your new behavior. For example, if you want to quit smoking, think about how much better off you will be - more respiratory capacity, fresher smelling clothing, more disposable income, etc.
   
   
4. Wait for the most opportune time. If you have not planned in advance, New Year's Day may not be the best time to begin. If so, look to a date when you will be better able to accomplish your goal.
   
   
5. Let others know about your resolution. Family members or friends can be a great source of support, or accountability in keeping your resolution.
   
   
6. Take "baby steps". Break the goal into small, achievable steps. For example if a new job is the goal, the steps to success could include writing a resume, performing a needs analysis, talking to potential references, arranging for one interview a week, etc.
   
   
7. Write down your goals. Commit them to paper and review them periodically to see where you stand.
   
   
8. Expect setbacks. Since nobody's perfect, you may revert to your old habits from time to time. These should be considered temporary, rather than a reason to give up on your goal.
   
   
9. Be realistic. Take time to seriously consider what you want to accomplish and don't set the bar too high.
   
   
10. Avoid previous resolutions. This usually just leads to breaking the resolution a second time. If you do make a similar pledge, think about why you were unsuccessful and take steps to avoid a similar outcome.

One could argue about the wisdom of not making New Year's resolutions at all. Too often, they end up being something that "goes in one year and out the other". Nevertheless, positive changes in people's lifestyle, family circumstances, or financial situation can and do occur when the commitment is there. Hopefully, some of the tips above will help you reach your goals for the New Year.

Social Connections, an Antidote to Holiday Stress

While researching today's topic, I ran across a related concept from blogger, Corey Allen, who wrote ‘‘my father-in-law aptly stated it this way: one of the best things about the holidays is seeing the headlights of family members coming up the driveway to visit. The second best thing about the holidays is seeing their taillights as they drive away''. Time spent with family during the holiday season can be tremendously fulfilling, but can also be a source of stress.

Images of "perfect" holidays on TV and in magazines can create unrealistic expectations and set the stage for disappointment. Since no one's life is perfect, one way of countering this is to recognize all the things and people in your life that make you feel grateful. The Roman philosopher, Cicero, said, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others." Gratitude helps us connect to something larger than ourselves, whether it is to other people, to nature, or to a higher power. Research has found that people who acknowledge the goodness in their lives have higher levels of subjective well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.

Social connections, including family and friends, also have an important bearing on our health and well-being. A number of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family and friends are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer. On the other hand, depression, cognitive decline, and premature death occur more often in those individuals who have fewer social ties. One study found that lacking strong social ties was as great a risk factor for dying prematurely as was obesity or physical inactivity.

This holiday season, take advantage of family gatherings and social activities to show your appreciation to those who are important to you. Be slow to judge family members or friends, even if they don't live up to your expectations. Focus on what you like about them, not their shortcomings. Give people the benefit of the doubt and consider how it would feel to be in their shoes. Remember that they may also be experiencing the effects of holiday stress or depression. Set aside personal grievances until they can be dealt with at a more appropriate time and place. "Counting your blessings" includes the friends, family, and loved ones that make your life more complete.

From all of us at eDocAmerica, have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

For someone in the family, an electronic device, such as a smart phone or iPad, almost certainly tops the "wish list" this holiday season. If you’re searching for a healthier alternative to this type of gift, however, the following suggestions can provide benefits that will last long after the holidays.

For her:

1. Electronic weight loss devices such as the bodybugg or BodyMedia FIT are two of the most accurate of the commercially available devices to measure caloric consumption. The bodybugg has gained recognition by being used by contestants on the reality TV show, "The Biggest Loser".
   
   
2. Membership to a health club, yoga or Pilates studio. Often, a "punch card" can be purchased, allowing the user to attend sessions when they want without having to commit to a long-term contract. A yoga or workout outfit is the perfect accompanying gift.
   
   
3. Food steamer or rice cooker. Steaming food is a much better alternative to frying because it preserves vital nutrients and minimizes use of fat. The convenience of a rice cooker encourages the addition of this healthy carbohydrate source into more meals.
   
   
4. Health and fitness DVDs. Zumba, a new fitness craze, can be learned from the Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set. The iGym yoga and Pilates set includes a yoga mat, gym ball and hand pump, and a workout DVD.
   
   
5. Sudoku Puzzle Books provide exercise to help your brain to stay mentally sharp.
   
   
6. A Juice Extractor is an easy and healthy way to get your daily nutritional intake of fruits and vegetables.
   
   
7. Mediterranean Cookbooks offer recipes that are delicious and healthy because they limit red meat and combine fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and olive oil, a better option than vegetable oil or butter.

For him:

1. Pedometers are the least expensive of the devices used to estimate calories burned. A popular campaign, the "10,000 step programs", uses a pedometer to help people achieve the goal of walking 5 miles each day, consuming approximately 500 calories in the process.
   
   
2. Electronic Toothbrush for better dental hygiene. Built-in timers encourage people to brush longer and more thoroughly.
   
   
3. Sunglasses help to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation that can cause cataracts. Make sure they’re labeled as offering 100% UV protection.
   
   
4. Dumbbells or resistance bands are a great way to strengthen muscles. They cost less than weight machines, take up less space, and don’t require a gym membership. Resistance bands, such as the Xertube Deluxe set can even be used when traveling.
   
   
5. A Zen Garden kit provides a means for stress relief and relaxation during hectic days at work.
   
   
6. Heart rate monitors are commonly used by competitive athletes to assist with their training programs, but certain ones can also provide information on caloric expenditure also.

For teens:

1. Active wear for teens who ski, ride bikes, or are into hiking are a great way to encourage physical activity. Consider a gift certificate so that they can pick it out for themselves.
   
   
2. A hot-air popcorn popper allows teens to make a healthy, delicious snack.
   
   
3. Bicycles provide teens or even College students with a means of transportation as well as a form of exercise. One type or another (mountain bike, commuter bike, racing bike, townie bike) would suit almost anyone in the family.
   
   
4. Active Video Games such as Dance Dance Revolution, the Nintendo Wii fit, and XBOX 360 Kinect Sports, encourage teens to get off the couch and burn calories.
   
   
5. Frisbees - The variety of flying discs is astounding these days and includes discs that light up, fly for hundreds of feet, and that are best for playing ultimate Frisbee, a highly aerobic sport. There are even "green" Frisbees that are made with 100% recycled materials.

For the kids:

1. Bikes, roller skates, and skateboards offer a self-powered, rather than motorized, activity. With the burgeoning problem of childhood obesity and type-2 diabetes, both closely tied to physical inactivity, toys that encourage physical activity can help avoid these problems. Add a helmet, knee pads, and/or elbow pads for safety.
   
   
2. Wagons, swings, slides, climbing equipment, and "push toys" are great for small children.
   
   
3. Board games involving multiple players not only strengthen social skills such as taking turns, but also enhance color and letter recognition in younger children while increasing strategy and sequencing skills in older kids. Social play is promoted even more by dramatic play toys, such as dolls & doll houses, dress up clothes & action hero costumes, kitchen play equipment and puppets. These same toys also foster creativity.
   


4. Balls of various types (basketballs, footballs, baseballs, etc.) come with the expectation of physical activity. Badminton, volleyball and even croquet sets are great if you have a yard and available partners for your child. Don’t forget too that you are a potential partner!
   
   
5. Other toys which encourage social interaction as well as offering other benefits include card games (from simple matching skills for young children to more complex math skills for older ones), jump rope (motor skills), jacks & pick-up sticks (fine motor skills), and puzzles (problem solving, spatial relationships).
   


6. Toys that encourage creativity often involve hands-on activities like craft projects, painting, coloring, drawing, or clay modeling. Good old blocks, Lego’s, Tinkertoys, and Play-Doh are great for young children to develop small motor coordination, as well as fostering creativity. "Pretend" activities, are also a favorite among children. Puppet theaters, toy castles, farm play sets, play stores, dollhouses, and toy kitchens are some examples of toys that encourage children to use their imagination.