Topic of the Month- January 2008

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

We've all done it.  We wake up on January 1st ready to start the New Year with a clean slate.  We may be thinking about our health and pledging that this year will be different.  We will eat right, exercise more, lose that extra weight, stop smoking, stop drinking, be on time, sleep more, read more, study more, relax more, etc.   By the end of January, we may feel that we have already failed and go right back to our old habits.  So, how do we succeed this year?

• Take time to think through your resolutions before you make

         them.  Is this something you feel that you MUST do, or is it

         something you truly want to do.  What are the advantages

         and disadvantages?  Are the advantages something you can

         get excited about?

• Make a reasonable plan.  Saying "I'm never going to eat junk

         food again" is most likely untrue and an unreasonable

        expectation.

• Attack your resolutions one piece at a time.  Break them up

         into smaller goals.  For example, if I want to exercise more I

         could start with a few minutes a day or every other day and

         increase from there instead of insisting that I must exercise

         for 2 hours every day beginning the first day.

• Watch what you are saying to yourself.  Avoid statements like

        "I just messed up, so my entire plan is blown".  Instead look

        at one day at a time and think rewards for success instead of

        punishments for not being perfect.

• Develop a support system of people who will encourage you in

         your goals.  A support group of others with similar goals can

         also be very helpful.

• Have a contingency plan for times of temptation.  If faced with

         a situation that would normally lead to unhealthy behavior,

        change focus or location.  Choose a substitute behavior to help

        keep you on the right track.

• Find ways to relax.  Times of high stress lead to high

        temptation.

• Find resources to help you on your way.

Check out these resources:

SMOKING CESSATION   -   http://www.tobaccofreeu.org 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE -  http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/treatment_public_i.aspx

ON-CAMPUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY   -   http://www.uttyler.edu/hpc/

ON-CAMPUS COUNSELING   -   http://www.uttyler.edu/counseling/services.html

For More Information Contact:

Wellness and Prevention Education Services

903-566-7067

University Health Clinic Room 142