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Sticking to your new year’s resolution

 

A new year brings many different opportunities and challenges. It’s also the time that many people try and improve themselves through New Year’s Resolutions. But for most, these are often easier said than done. Even if we do manage to start on our lists, it’s usually the follow through that derails our efforts. Despite our good intentions, we let other aspects of our lives get in the way of these goals. Here are a few tips that may help you complete some of your 2016 resolutions.

 

Getting Started

Once you have mustered your resolve and decided to tackle your resolutions, you should try these simple steps to help you get started.

 

  • Make a list
    • Keeping your resolutions in your head and leaving them at the mercy of your memory may not be the best idea. Treat them like any other important tasks and write them down. If you can write down your grocery list, why not your resolutions?
  • Start small
    • If you’ve decided on several things to change this year, prioritize and do them one at a time. Getting fit, taking guitar lessons and starting a blog all in one month may not be the best approach. You may overwhelm yourself and increase the likelihood of sabotaging your efforts. Start with one goal and once you feel comfortable to add the others. You should also take it slow. Ease into your new activities and keep in mind that consistency is the key.
  • Be realistic
    • This goes hand-in-hand with taking it slow. It’s great to have goals and aiming high is not a bad thing, but make sure they are attainable. Having unrealistic expectations will only lead to failure. Wanting to lose 30 pounds may be your ultimate goal, but aiming to lose the first 5 pounds is much less daunting and more realistic.

 

Sticking with it

Starting is only the first step, now you have to stick to your resolutions.

  • Think about why you are doing it.
    • Remembering the reasons behind any action is a powerful way to reinforce it. Knowing the Why is extremely important. It gives your efforts meaning. Why did you want to get fit this year? Perhaps it’s for your children. You want to be healthier because you want as much time with them as possible. Doing anything just for the sake of doing it is a sure fire way to failure.
  • Keep a visual reminder.
    • Having a visual reminder where you can see often it is a great way to remind yourself of your resolution. It keeps it top-of-mind so you never forget. For example, if your resolution is to drink more water, having a note on your computer monitor will constantly remind you to keep hydrated at work. Alternatively, you can use the alarm function on your cell phones as reminders.
  • Tell your friends and family.
    • Telling those close to you about your goals will allow them to be supportive. If you are trying to be more financially responsible in the New Year, and your friends are aware, they may be less likely to pressure you into those impromptu dinners. Your family could support you emotionally if you are quitting smoking for example.
  • Keep track
    • Nothing is more disheartening than not seeing results. By keeping track of your progress, it will encourage you to follow through your resolutions. If the results are not positive, then it may help you identify areas in which you need to improve to reach your goals.

 

Most of us see the New Year as a great starting point to better ourselves. The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions helps to remind us of this. But the key to change is not in the thinking, but in the doing.

Mental Health Week is May 4th – 10th 2015

Mental Health Week (MHW) was first introduced in 1951 by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Recovery from mental health illness is only part of what MHW strives to support, it also offers ways to improve and maintain good mental health in our day to day lives. Mental Health Week has always strived to build awareness and to improve Canadian’s attitudes and behaviours toward people suffering from mental health issues, reducing stigma and discrimination.

Running from May 4th -10th, this year’s focus is the mental well-being of men and boys. It encourages us all to reflect on how we see ourselves and our bodies. The subject of body image has been primarily thought of as a female issue. This year Mental Heal Week reminds us that the pressures of looking good and being “attractive” also applies to men. A person’s body image is the mental picture of themselves and may not be what they actually see or how other people see them.

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Our image of ourselves can be shaped by our cultures and environments. It is also heavily influenced by the media and advertising. These depictions often set unrealistic expectations for our body image and can have a negative effect on our mental health as it is often tied to one’s self esteem.

Mental Health Week encourages us to have a positive body image. It reminds us that our physical appearance does not define who we are and our self-worth. We should feel comfortable and confident in our body and speak positively about ourselves, by avoiding saying things like “I look fat” or “I wish I looked bigger or stronger”.

So what qualifies as a Mental Illness?

Mental Illness is broad term that encompasses a number of conditions that affects our minds. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, the term could describe anything from mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, eating disorders such anorexia or bulimia, to dementia and schizophrenia.

Warning Signs

  • Personality changes
  • Mood swings
  • Excessive anxiety or depression
  • Grandiose ideas/delusion/hallucinations
  • Problems thinking clearly
  • Changes in eating/sleeping patterns
  • Thoughts/ideas of suicide
  • Alcohol/drug abuse
  • Excessive anger, hostility or violent behaviour

Eagle Bay Financial offers a comprehensive Employee Wellness Program that may be able to help you or your family member going through mental illness. It provides confidential counselling support to guide you to a healthier mental well-being. To find out more check out our website or download our Employee Wellness Brochure.

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