Resolve To Be Less Resolute!
Dear Caregivers,
It’s the beginning of the year, and I’m seeing the usual crowds packing the gyms and classes at my local fitness center. But I know that fairly soon, the gyms will return to their typical levels of use.
That’s the way it is with New Year’s resolutions. Study after study shows that people’s optimistic pledges to dramatically change their lives through doing a fitness program, going on a diet, drinking less alcohol, or starting a new hobby typically don’t last very long. It’s just human nature.
This year, however, I’m going to try a new approach: I’m going for something that is called “ish”. The idea comes from a children’s book about a child who wants to be an artist, but his brother complains that his drawing of a piece of fruit doesn’t look like an apple. His sister saves the day by saying, well, it looks “apple-ish”.
So this year, I’m resolving to be more “ish”: Sure, I’m resolved to step up my fitness program and nutritional eating, but I’m not going to kick myself if I don’t do it every single day—I’m going to be healthy-ish. Same with all my other new goals: I’m going to celebrate when I go in a good direction, and not kick myself—or worse, give up—if I get waylaid and for some reason I can’t get to it on a given day.
So yes, let’s ring in the new year with some new aspirations! But let’s make the first goal to be realistic about everything you are facing in the coming year, and not strive for perfection—just for to be a little more ish.
Here are some more ideas for New Year’s resolutions this year:
Making Brain Games Your New Hobby:
To find a way to keep your loved one’s brain active and healthy, start by thinking about the types of activities or hobbies your loved one likes best. No matter what activity it is, pursuing hobbies regularly will keep their mind and body active, and in some cases allow them to engage more deeply in social activities. Here's how.
The Mind Diet: Meal Planning to Fuel the Brain:
The MIND diet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Here's a guide.
Motivating Your Loved One to Do Physical Activity:
Exercise can have enormous benefits. However, keeping your loved one with Alzheimer's disease motivated to exercise and do physical therapy can be a real challenge. After all, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that leads to loss of memory issues, mood swings, and multiple physical limitations. Here are some strategies you can use to encourage them.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
— Oprah Winfrey
