If there has ever been a year to which I am happy to say “goodbye,” it is 2020. Baby New Year 2021 is looking better and better every day! It has gotten me thinking about my personal New Year’s resolutions, and ways I can improve myself in the coming year.
I found a host of ideas from The Queen Life website, which prompted me to tailor my visions with my resolutions, and develop suggestions for some of the best, most doable New Year’s resolutions that seniors can conquer in 2021.
- Strive for better health. We all want to improve our health in one way or another, whether it’s losing weight, eating better or drinking more water. This may seem like a stale idea – or an obvious one – but now, more than ever, we should all have a better understanding about the negative impacts poor choices regarding diet and exercise can have on our health. I am proud Home Helpers® has partnered with Silver Cuisine® by bistroMD, a meal-delivery program bringing healthy, nutritious, frozen meals to our clients at times that are convenient for them. They are easy to prepare and ready in minutes.
- Fine-tune the finances. 2020 has been a difficult year economically, for sure, but 2021 doesn’t have to begin with monetary dread. Most seniors are on a fixed income, so it’s important to find ways to save. Clip coupons, take advantage of senior discounts and customer loyalty programs whenever possible; try to trim unnecessary expenses from your shopping budget; and begin saving coins or one-dollar bills when you can. It all adds up!
- Read more books. Pick your genre and a comfortable place to escape with a book for awhile. If you enjoy romance novels, biographies, memoirs, self-help, fiction or non-fiction, there are myriad hard-cover, soft-cover and audio books from which to choose. Bernadette Whyte asks, “Did you know that reading for pleasure can help improve your sleep patterns? Plus people who read for pleasure have greater levels of self esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations.” What great benefits!
- Become a volunteer. I’ve met plenty of seniors who feel like they have no purpose, or they feel isolated and depressed. One way to curb those feelings of isolation and create purpose in your life is to share some of your time and talents with your community. COVID-19 has made this quite difficult in 2020, but by following the proper safety guidelines, there are plenty of opportunities you can explore to help others. Perhaps, you can help your church food pantry a few hours a week. Many people have been struggling with food insecurities this year, so they may need extra help!
- Take a class. This may require you to step out of your comfort zone, but you’re never too old to learn something new! Many teachers, schools, and instructors have begun classes online, but if you are so inclined, you may want to check the local colleges to see what courses they’re offering. Maybe now’s the time to sign-up for an art or crafts class online, or a water aerobics class at the local YMCA. Seniors participate in these kinds of activities all the time, and classes that focus on health and wellness work in conjunction with your goal for better health.
- Be more mindful. Another way to improve your health is by being more mindful. What does that mean, exactly? Mindful.org says, “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” Being more mindful can have very positive impacts on overall health and happiness.
- Practice self-care. Think about the things that make you happy and help you relax, and then schedule time to do those things. This could be the most important resolution any of us makes, because we must practice self-care to prevent becoming overwhelmed, anxious, stressed and unhappy. Schedule a regular spa day, take a hot bubble bath, or take in a movie. No matter what it is, just do it. Life’s short. Take care of you.
- Find a hobby. As Whyte puts it, hobbies and fun were so much easier when we were younger. As we age and become wiser with our experiences, we must not lose our inner child. If you enjoy relaxing with an adult coloring book and colored pencils, have at it! If you de-stress while taking some laps in the pool, jump right in! Find what you enjoy doing for fun, and plan to do more of it.
- Get more organized. Who doesn’t need a little more organization in their life? I have cluttered cabinets in my kitchen, bills and statements stacked on my desk, and closets with my name on them. Set a goal to attack one thing each day or each week, and get it done! Throw out expired food, take clothes you haven’t worn in years to Good Will, and create digital files of invoices and statements you need to keep so you can de-clutter your life. Better organization can provide peace of mind and improve our overall productivity.
- Invest in relationships. This has been an especially challenging year for seniors, because visits with family and friends have been restricted due to the coronavirus. This will likely continue well into 2021, until seniors can get a COVID vaccine, and the pandemic finally subsides. Set aside time each day – or several days a week – to call, email, Facetime or Zoom with family members, friends and loved ones to stay engaged and invested in their lives. Even a note or greeting card via snail mail is always welcome!
My team of compassionate caregivers and I want everyone – especially seniors – to have a very happy and healthy new year! If a Home Helpers® caregiver can help you or a special senior someone you love with healthy meal planning and preparation, personal care, companion care, respite care or recuperative care, I am available to schedule a FREE Consultation at your convenience.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award for 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
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