Some Thoughts for New Year's Resolutions for Seniors

New Year's is typically time for saying goodbye to the past year and welcoming in a new year with hopes for changes for the best. Many people make resolutions or promises to themselves or their loved ones to improve themselves in the new year. The one that comes to mind most often is to lose weight. Another is to quit smoking. These are terrific resolutions, but they often fall by the wayside soon into the new year as life gets busy again.

To change a habit you have to practice new habits or behaviors for at least 3 weeks or 21 days before you'll realistically see or feel a difference. The plan needs to be consistent and you can't skip a day. And then you have to keep it up to make it really work. Because, for instance to lose weight, you must make lifestyle changes. Otherwise as soon as you reach your goal, you'll likely gain it all back if you return to old habits.

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the guilt, or feeling like a failure and depression sets in and it's healthier just to let it go. Don't beat yourself up.

Lofty goals may work sometimes, but it's better to make resolutions that are realistic and attainable. Then build on them. Break things down into simpler problems to tackle and give yourself a chance to succeed and become more confident.

I was offered the opportunity to share a blog post from Gary Simmons at A Hand to Hold about resolutions specific to our aging parents and loved ones. There's a lot of good ideas for any age, but these are all things that can make a big difference in the lives of our aging parents as they prepare to face the challenges of life in the 60's, 70's 80's and beyond. It's a great read! Happy New Year!

image: http://www.happynewyear2017images.net/2016/07/happy-new-year-2017-pictures-free-download.html