It’s that time of year again when people are making lists—the top 10 this, that, and the other from 2011, and top ways to make 2012 better. Everyone’s also talking about New Year’s Resolutions—Do you make them? Should you make them? How will you keep them?
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Stratford, NJ recently released their findings that led them to develop 10 New Year’s resolutions to help you age successfully. Dr. Terri Ginsberg of the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging at the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine, says that there are some pretty simple ways to age successfully, and offers these tips as New Year’s Resolutions for ageing gracefully, and staying healthy in 2012.
- Get better sleep at night by avoiding naps during the day, or watching TV in bed—regardless of how tired you are.
- Eat well, including lots of coloured vegetables. Those green, yellow, and red fruits and veggies have lots of nutrients that your body needs—especially as you get older.
- Make an appointment with your doctor and dentist soon to start the year off right with a good check-up. Then, follow their advice and get whatever tests you need to stay healthy.
- Stop worrying. You really can make yourself sick worrying a lot—especially about things over which you have no control. Let it go. Worry lines on your face make you look older too.
- Stay in touch with family and friends. Keeping busy and social keeps you healthy, and active, which makes you at least feel younger.
- Exercise your body and your mind by moving more, and reading more. Take a walk to the library, and improve your mental and physical health.
- See #6.
- Have some fun by laughing and singing more. This helps with #4 too.
- Take more control over your health. See #3.
- Get involved with others by volunteering in your community. No matter how busy you are, helping someone else is good for your health, and your lifestyle. Older folks helping younger folks is always good for everyone!
Source: http://www.newswise.com/articles/ten-new-year-s-resolutions-to-help-you-age-successfully
The University at Buffalo (UB) recently got into the discussion about New Year’s resolutions by offering its annual list for having a healthy and prosperous 2012.
UB faculty based their recommendations on work done at the university and from what they saw happening in other communities. Here are five of their suggestions.
- Help a returning soldier. There are lots of ways to help our returning soldiers and their families. UB faculty noted that many returning soldiers were helped with projects around their homes. [Note to Canadians: Check with a Military Family Resource Centre to find out what’s needed. If you don’t live near a MFRC, go online to see how you can help long distance. Don’t forget our troops still in Afghanistan. Check with the local post office. They will help you send mail. ]
- Improve your oral health, and improve lung and heart health. Researchers found there is a direct link between better dental care and improved cardiovascular health. Source: http://ubfacultyexperts.buffalo.edu/floss-to-protect-against-pneumonia-and-heart-disease
- Combat feelings of loneliness by reading more fantasy, says UB associate professor of psychology Shira Gabriel, PhD. She and graduate student Ariana Young found that people reported feeling more satisfied with their life, and less lonely reading stories from “Harry Potter”, “Twilight” or other fantasy narrative fiction.
- Be nice to nurses. They are on the front lines in any health care situation, especially emergency rooms, and are under a lot of pressure from both doctors and patients, and are most likely the first to spot medical errors. Source: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/12641
- Talk to your child about bullying. After well-publicized, and sometimes very tragic, cases of bullying, there were anti-bullying campaigns in schools and communities, but a heartfelt chat with a parent may be the best way for children to understand the ramifications of bullying—and it may open up some lines of communication if they are being bullied, or know someone who is. Source: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13013
Source: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/584174/?sc=lwhn
Regardless of whether you make New Year’s resolutions have a happy, healthy 2012.
