“It was lovely to chat with you, Dad,” said Marla, as she slid her arms into her coat.

Duane smiled at his daughter. “Where are you headed next?”

“The girls and I are meeting at the coffee shop to talk about our New Year’s Resolutions, But I’m not sure why. We give up on most of them before Valentine’s Day!”

“I just read something in my senior magazine that might help you. It talked about focusing on resolve – the root word of resolutions. Instead of making these grand goals, I can resolve to grow as a person. When I shared it with Suz, my caregiver, we put together an ‘I resolve’ plan for seniors. She’s going to pass it on to all her patients.”

“Wow, Dad, that’s awesome!” Marla took the copy that Duane handed to her. “I’m going to share this with the girls. Maybe we can come up with an I resolve for middle-agers.”

I Resolve for Seniors

Rest Proper rest is essential for well-being. Are you getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night? Have you considered a 20 – 25-minute power nap? While a long nap can be detrimental, a power nap after lunch can give you a boost of energy, helping you be more active, which in turn can improve your sleep.

Exercise Are you participating in programs at your local fitness center? If you live in a small community that doesn’t have one, simple stretches in the morning, chair yoga designed for seniors, and taking a regular walk around the block are just a few options for maintaining your strength and vitality.

Socialize Engaging with others is key to helping prevent depression and loneliness. Meet friends for lunch. Attend a program at your local library. Check into local churches or community clubs that offer activities for seniors.

Overcome Do you have a specific habit you want to overcome? Sure, you might not have any significant actions, like smoking, to overcome, but there are often smaller habits that may seem inconsequential to others, yet they’re something you have always wanted to stop or start doing. Choose one habit to change and break it down into a series of small goals that continue to lead you toward success.

Learn Keeping your mind active strengthens your brain connections. Reading, doing word puzzles, playing cards, and other activities can strengthen your brain connections, improve your memory and ability to focus, and enhance your quality of life. Best of all, stimulating your brain can lower the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's.

Variety While a certain amount of consistency in your days can help reduce anxiety and bring calmness into your life, there is truth in the adage “variety is the spice of life.” Consider a few small ways you can mix things up for fun. Perhaps you have a glass of orange juice with your breakfast every day. Why not try a glass of apple or cranberry juice instead? Maybe you always wear this shirt with that pair of slacks. Why not try a different mix?

Express Speak up. Communicate your thoughts on a topic being discussed. Share a touching or funny story from your past. Ask for help when you need it. If you feel anxious or discouraged, talk to someone. When one person expresses themself, it encourages others to do the same. Furthermore, active conversation can have a positive effect on your mental and physical health and your quality of life.