Is this finally the year?
You know, the year that you lose those 20, OK, maybe 40, extra pounds. The year you quit smoking, get a better job, spend more time with your loved ones and take that dream vacation.
New Year’s resolutions have been around almost as long as new years. Author Doug Lennox wrote in his 2007 “Big Book of Answers” that Babylonians made promises to the gods at the start of each year to pay their debts and return borrowed items, and that medieval knights took a vow at the end of the year to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry.
Of course, forming good intentions are easy. The tough part is following through, making the permanent life changes. There’s a reason that you’ll be able to find an exercise bike at the gym by March 1. Reader’s Digest suggests framing your resolutions as things you will do, rather than things you won’t do. In other words, promise to eat more fruits and vegetables, rather than swear you’ll never let chocolate ice cream touch your lips again. Promise to go for a walk, rather than vow not to watch so much TV.
Set up a support system. Your dog would probably love to help you keep that resolution to take more walks. Maybe you and a pudgy friend can start a recipe contest using those fruits and vegetables.
Speaking of fruits and vegetables, consider “stocking the fridge” to be a resolution in and of itself. Having healthy food on hand makes it more convenient than grazing through the stuff we shouldn’t eat.
Digital marketing executive Ivan Dimitrijevic shares 50(!) New Year’s resolutions on a website called lifehack.org. While it would be hard to make that many life changes, some of them are worth considering:
• Improve your concentration and mental skills. There’s an app for that, of course, and a bunch of tried-and-true techniques ranging from meditation to yoga to herbal tea.
• Become more polite. We know of some national leaders — yes, him — who could use this resolution. Learn etiquette, learn how to say no politely, and, if you’re traveling, learn the local customs before you go.
• Get more sleep. It sounds easy, but it can be hard. Stow the electronic devices and aim for a full night’s sleep to improve your health. Have trouble sleeping? The internet is full of tips. Better yet, don’t ask Dr. Google. Ask your doctor.
• Learn to cook. Cooking saves money and can improve your health. You don’t have to enroll in culinary school. Clark College’s community education program offers a variety of inexpensive classes.
• See your doctor more often. Why do you change the oil in your car when it’s running fine? Same idea. Watch your blood pressure. Avoid adult onset diabetes. Get screened for colorectal cancers.
Finally, author Kristi Ling shares this worthy resolution via Reader’s Digest: Resolve to be as kind and gentle with yourself as possible. “We tend to be extremely hard on ourselves on so many levels, which can hold us back from experiencing all the happiness we deserve,” Ling says. “Make a habit of speaking about (and thinking about) yourself the way you’d speak about someone you respect and love dearly. It takes practice, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll notice a huge positive shift.”
Whatever your resolve, we at The Columbian wish you a happy and successful 2019. Thank you for being our customer.
