The last thing you need is the nasty health editor suggesting a litany of New Year's resolutions that include losing weight, quitting smoking or running 10 miles every day before work.
This is not a time to set unattainable goals, as many people do. In fact, several years ago, researchers at the University of Michigan reported that New Year's resolutions are usually broken by February -- or earlier.
But the new year is a good time to take stock of our lives and think of a few ways we can improve the way we're living. I meet periodically with a life coach who helps me prioritize my goals amid a chaotic full-time work and mom schedule and who makes sure I'm living my life according to my values. But when we first started meeting, I had to sit down first and figure out what those values were because I hadn't thought about them in a long while.
The most important lesson I've learned is to take time out for myself everyday. Women, in particular, are the traditional caregivers and often spend all their time helping others. Many feel guilty when they do something for themselves. Don't. On days I don't take a little time for myself, things are more frazzled, and it's usually my loved ones who suffer from my sour mood.
With this in mind, I have a list of New Year's resolutions that I hope can help many of us achieve better physical and mental health in 2003.
And of course the top suggestion is taking time out for yourself every day, far away from all those responsibilities, even if it's just a quiet moment at the coffee shop or dinner with friends.
Among other suggestions:
Try something you've never done before. Better yet, do something new every month of this year. Go cross-country skiing, try the climbing wall or jump on the trampoline at UPMC SportsWorks on the North Side. Ride a hot air balloon, go kayaking, learn to play an instrument, take an exotic cooking class, ride a bike around Moraine State Park in Butler County or on the Great Allegheny Passage trail or get a massage.
Turn off the TV every once in a while and lose yourself in the book you've been wanting to read.
Schedule a checkup with your doctor, especially if you haven't had one in a while. Ditto for a dental checkup.
Get trained in CPR. The American Red Cross, local hospitals, health clubs, schools, Ys and job sites offer this training. Or mark your calendar for the mass training event called Save-a-Life Saturday usually held the third Saturday of August. Last year it was sponsored by the Allegheny County EMS Council and UPMC Health System.
De-clutter your desk or work space and buy yourself a bouquet of flowers to brighten up your January -- even if you're a man.
If you're able -- as in being mobile -- walk the length of your block and back tomorrow. The next day, go a couple blocks. The day after that, a little farther still. Keep it up.
If you're an adult, and you think you missed getting the chickenpox, get yourself tested for exposure. If you haven't had it, get vaccinated the next time you're at the doctor's office.
Even though our children were vaccinated before entering elementary school, my oldest, now 11, developed a very mild case this fall. (Yes, you can get it after you've been vaccinated.) Unfortunately, my husband missed it as a child, and three weeks later, he woke up with what turned out to be a very severe case that flattened him for nearly two weeks -- including Thanksgiving Day.
Although adults make up only 10 percent of cases, they account for half the deaths. You never know if or when you'll be exposed.
If you're able, give blood. Even once this year will help.
Start flossing regularly.
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