Resolve to Make Better Resolutions!
Dear Caregivers,
Happy New Year everyone! Though it is really just another day on the calendar, New Year’s always inspires in me a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. And of course, it’s a time-honored tradition to make one or more resolutions for the new year.
The problem is, study after study shows that New Year’s resolutions actually don’t work very well. In one research project, it was found that just 20% of people who made resolutions were doing those resolutions two years later.
So, this year, I’d like to propose that you rethink your approach to making resolutions. Here are some ideas:
THINK THEMATICALLY: Instead of setting specific goals, set themes for your behavior. For example, you can resolve to be “calmer” whenever you can; or attempt to listen more, or spend time daily focusing on gratitude for the positive things in your life.
MAKE “DON’T” LISTS: Instead of listing things you aspire to do, make a list of things you’d like to do less of, such as getting upset in traffic, going down some rabbit hole in social media, or saying “Yes” to every request from someone who want you to commit to something.
BE MINIMALIST: Set your sights on doing very tiny, incremental changes. That might mean deciding to walk down the steps in a building once a day instead of taking the elevator; or setting aside five minutes every morning to read a poem; or resolving to call or email an old friend once a week. By committing to tiny changes, you build momentum for bigger, cumulative changes.
EMBRACE IMPERFECTION: Whatever your resolution, don’t strive for perfection. Instead. work toward what the writer Oliver Burkeman calls “daily-ish.” That is, try to do something every day, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two every once in a while.
The only other resolution I highly recommend for you, as a caregiver — and you probably are familiar with my approach by now to guess — is to “Take Your Oxygen First”. That is, strive to be the best caregiver you can be, but make sure that your caregiving extends to yourself, too. After all, if you are not yourself healthy and thriving, you will not be capable of being your best at helping others.
Here are a few tips on taking care of yourself:
Building your Caregiving Mental Health Toolkit:
As a caregiver, you need a host of tools to help you cope and maintain your mental health. Here’s your toolkit.
Keeping Your Personal Relationships Strong While Caregiving:
The stresses of caregiving can cause significant strains on a marriage or any other relationship. Here’s how to keep stress at bay and keep your personal relationships healthy.
Setting Boundaries as a Caregiver:
As a caregiver, it is essential that you remain committed to your personal boundaries, making sure that you give yourself time and space to address your personal needs for rest, relaxation, and fulfillment. This foundation for positive self-care is vital in improving your well-being. Here’s how to do it.
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
“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”
— Brad Paisley
