New Year, New You
As a new calendar year begins, many of us take this time to evaluate where we are in our lives and make New Year’s resolutions to motivate us to be the best versions of ourselves. If coming up with goals is overwhelming, try breaking it down into three categories:
- Ways to better your body
- Ways to better your mind
- Ways to better the world
Creating goals in each area can help you live a healthier life, inside and out.
Many people make New Year’s resolutions in the first category—losing weight is a common goal. But there are other ways to make our bodies healthier other than changing a number on a scale. These may include focusing on eating healthy foods, exercising three times a week, or even making sure to get eight hours of sleep per night.
Bettering our mind could mean anything from enrolling in a class that piques your interest, to seeking medical treatment for a mental health struggle. Bettering your mind could even be something as simple as reading more books; you could plan to read one new book a month or make a book list for the year.
Making the world a better place is something most of us want to do, but it can be hard to know where to start. Consider what causes matter to you, and what you can do to help. You could volunteer at the local animal shelter or get involved in the children’s ministry at your church. If you don’t have enough time to spare, consider donating supplies to your local women’s shelter or soup kitchen. And, if finances allow, you could make a monetary donation to a nonprofit whose mission is important to you, or even schedule monthly giving.
When looking at organizations to support, we hope you’ll keep the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation in mind. A gift from you has tangible results, whether your interest is in Team Member Support Services, Capital Needs, Life Enrichment, or the Benevolent Care Fund, at the heart of all we do. Your donation goes directly toward making life better for our team members and the older adults we serve.
As you make commitments to yourself this January, consider ways to hold yourself accountable. Make sure you write down your goals in a place you can return to often. Tell a trusted friend your plans and ask them to check in with you regularly on your progress.
Sometimes, everyone needs a little extra motivation. Rewarding yourself when you reach your goals or milestones can fill that need. A reward can be something as small as an ice cream cone or as large as a special vacation. Think about what motivates you, and what is realistic for your budget. Ultimately, the best reward will be the resulting improved physical and mental health, and the joy of knowing you are making a difference in others’ lives.