Going into a new year can feel like shedding everything that doesn't serve us and focusing our renewed energy on setting goals that inspire growth. Enter New Year's resolutions—an opportunity to start the year with a clean slate and the empowering decision to prioritize our health, happiness, and overall well-being. Whether you're receiving home care or caring for someone else, the new year is a great time to up your game and make positive changes.
Make Homecare a Positive Experience This Year!
Let's look at some excellent inspiration for New Year's resolutions! May you feel inspired to make home care a positive experience where you use your autonomy to change what you can.
Prioritize Physical Health
Start with small changes that make a significant impact! Here are a few ideas:
Simplify healthy eating: Try eliminating processed foods when possible and add fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Why not team up with your caregiver to devise a shopping plan also that you always have healthy food options on hand?
Try gentle exercises: Regular movement doesn't necessarily mean intense workouts. Consider gentle exercises like short walks and gentle stretches, and don't let mobility issues stand in the way of this New Year's resolution. Something as simple as chair yoga can improve your strength, stamina, mobility, and energy levels.
Gradually ditch bad habits: Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements. Whether it's smoking, eating unhealthy food, doom scrolling, playing online games, or binge-watching TV, cut those things out if and when you can. Communicate your intentions to your caregiver and ask them to help you stick to your resolutions. Maybe you'll inspire them to drop a bad habit or two along the way!
Celebrate the small victories: Every step forward is worth celebrating, no matter how small. Get your caregiver to buy into your resolution, and you'll have someone to motivate and support you. You can celebrate your victories and support each other through the setbacks. You're in this together and can make the experience of home care one with room to learn and grow.
Focus on Your Mental Wellness
Mental health matters. Just as much as physical health does. Here are some ideas to boost your mental health and reduce stress:
Keep your mind active: Whether playing today's Wordle, crossword, Sudoku, or a round of Trivia with your caregiver, find a way to challenge your brain and get that gray matter moving.
Find ways to reduce stress: Identify your home care stressors and work with your caregiver to find wholesome ways to reduce them. Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help. So can an outing in nature or enjoying a quiet hobby that sparks joy and gives you a sense of achievement.
Reflect on progress: Acknowledge every win, big or small. It's a great way to stay motivated!
Build Stronger Connections
Nurture your support network by investing time and energy into strengthening relationships with your nearest and dearest. This is particularly important for those giving and receiving home care. You'll spend a lot of time together, so it's worth the effort.
Work on that team spirit: Close friends or family members often make loyal and trusted caregivers who have your best interest at heart. Team up with your caregiver so you can both get excited about making positive changes in the year ahead.
Stay connected with your tribe: See whether you can send a text message, video call, in-person visit, or email. Staying in touch with our loved ones is a miracle cure against loneliness and isolation. Schedule these connections to remind you to reach out to those you love.
Create a Safe and Cozy Space
You may need to make safe home modifications, but every space, no matter how big or small, can be made into a secure and lovely place to live. So, stay safe and foster independence with these ideas to make your space secure, comfy, and cozy.
Make minor safety adjustments: If you've been putting it off, now is the time to install (or have someone help you install) grab bars, non-slip rugs, better lighting, and general decluttering to make things safer.
Set up the tech: Whether you're interested in apps, smart gadgets, or games, technology can provide people with as much independence as entertainment.
Spruce up your space: Pick fresh flowers and put them in a vase, print and hang up some photos, or rearrange the room to suit your needs and style better. Remember, small changes can make a significant impact.
If At First, You Don't Succeed, Try and Try Again
Wanting to improve things is good, but making those changes (and making them stick) isn't always easy. We're often quick to feel like we're failing when we aim too high or falter along the way. Change is a process. It's a journey. And it does not happen overnight. Give yourself grace when you slip up, and keep at it. It will be so worth it in the long run. Start small, celebrate every win, and take it one step at a time—you’ve got this!