Happy New Year!
It’s always exciting to start a new year, and 2020 just has a cool ring to it! I hope everyone had a good holiday season, even with all the ups and downs that can come with traveling, family reunions, gift giving, etc.
It has been shown people who set goals are more likely to achieve what they want to accomplish, so as we look ahead at the new year, I hope we can take a look at our lives and set goals that will benefit our overall health and well-being.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
- Have you had a routine physical exam with your PCP in the past year?
- How would you like to improve your diet (not “diet to lose weight”, but your overall eating habits)?
- How would you like to improve your physical activity?
- How would you like to improve in your sleep quality and schedule?
- Are there habits you can cut down or quit to better care for your body (cigarette, alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, sugar, screen time, etc.)?
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
- Do you understand your emotions and why you react to certain triggers?
- Do you have a constructive and productive way of processing your emotions?
- Do you know how to express your emotions in a healthy way?
- In what way would you like to grow and improve in handling your emotions better?
MENTAL HEALTH
- Do you feel stressed? overwhelmed? blah?
- How can you assess and handle your stress level and stressors better this year?
- How can you improve in your sleeping habits, eating habits, activity level, and social support to take care of your mental health?
SPIRITUAL HEALTH
- What is your personal belief regarding God, why you’re here, and what you’re living for?
- If you would say you are of a certain faith, how well do you understand the doctrine, and how seriously are you in following what you say you believe (a disconnect in faith and practice can subconsciously cause tension and stress, so it’s worth introspecting)?
- Is how you’re using your resources consistent with what you say you want to accomplish in life?
- Is there someone you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?
FINANCIAL HEALTH
- Where would you like to be financially, and how can you move one step closer to that goal?
- What can you do differently to cut expenses in non-essential things and help towards your saving goals?
- How can you track and manage your money better this year?
SOCIAL HEALTH
- Who is your support system, and how would you like to grow in this area?
- Do you have hobbies? How would you like to incorporate that better into your routine this year?
- What is something new you’d like to learn or do this year to improve your social skills and the way you interact with others?
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and some elements definitely overlap and cross categories. There are also other areas in our lives that can affect our health that are not listed here, but you’re welcome to add your own. This was meant to be some examples to hopefully help you think of things you’d like to do, and ways you’d like to grow, in the new year.
For my patients, if there is anything I can do to help you with reaching your health goals, please let me know. I’d love to address them with you at your next appointment!
May God bless you all a wonder year in 2020!