|
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 8,
1999
Tips For Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions
Albuquerque, NM — If you're like many people,
your New Year's resolution may be health-related. Maybe you want to quit
smoking, lose weight, start
exercising or reduce the levels of stress in your life. Regardless
of your goal, there are some techniques you can use to help you be successful
in
modifying your behavior.
- If you're trying to quit smoking, choose a time when you're not
under a lot of stress.
- Reward yourself for success along the way. For example, if you
have gone for a week without smoking, you've achieved your goal
of exercising three times in a week, or you've lost a pound, treat
yourself to a movie or some other activity that you enjoy.
- Celebrate the day you're starting the change by taking yourself
out for a healthful dinner or buying yourself a small gift that
will fit into your new lifestyle.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption. Because alcohol lowers your
inhibitions, it is harder to resist overindulging in high-calorie
foods or smoking a cigarette after you've had a drink.
- Get enough sleep. Many behaviors are stress-related, and not
getting enough rest interferes with your body's ability to handle
stress.
- Make a list of reasons why you want to change your behavior.
Keep this list handy and refer to it when you're tempted to revert
to your old, unhealthy behavior patterns.
- Drink more water and keep healthy snacks available. Whether you're
trying to lose weight or quit smoking, this will help satisfy any
cravings you may experience.
- Get support. Find a friend who has a similar goal and encourage
each other as you make changes in your lives. You may also want
to consider joining a support group or taking a class related to
the change you are making. Educate yourself by reading literature
and by asking your doctor for more information about programs that
are available in your community.
- If learning to manage stress is your primary goal, try anticipating
stressful situations and planning in advance how you can deal with
them in less stressful ways. Set priorities and get your family
and friends to help you accomplish essential tasks. Try letting
go of the need to be perfect and eliminate tasks that are unnecessary.
Set aside some time to relax each day, even if it's only 15 minutes.
- If your goal is to lose weight, you need to know that there is
more to it than dieting. Exercise is a key component of any weight
loss program. Find an activity that you like and can incorporate
into your regular routine. For many people, walking is the easiest
exercise program to stick with.
Founded in 1908, Presbyterian Healthcare Services is a community-based,
New Mexico not-for-profit healthcare organization. More than 400,000
New Mexico residents are served each year by Presbyterian facilities
and programs. The organization owns, manages, or leases a statewide
network of services including hospitals, outpatient centers, a health
plan, and physician groups.
041101
|
|
|
|
