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HealthMatters/September, 2014
SEPTEMBER - Learn a new skill
Always wanted to play the guitar? Or join that
hockey club? Fancy trying kayaking? Or
knitting? Pick something you’d like to try,
and GO TRY IT. You don’t even have to spend
money. Go visit your granny and learn to
crochet. Ask your guitar-wielding friend for
lessons. Again, use your student status -
UCC’s societies and clubs really do have
something for everyone. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. And do it at least once a week for 4 weeks. Who knows, you may make new friends, and discover unhidden talents.
OCTOBER - Give up a bad habit
So you’ve worked hard so far, getting a little fitter, a little healthier, and it’s all part of the routine now. NOW it’s time to tackle that ‘thing’ in your life. Yes- the smoking, or binge-drinking, or always leaving study till the last minute. Pick that one bad habit that you really should change, and START to tackle it. Gather information, think about the best possible approach, and start to make the change. Smoke? Aim to cut down to at least half by the end of the month, then cut down by half again the following month, and so on until you are ready to stop altogether. Same with the booze. It’s not about achieving the change within the month, it’s about making lasting progress
NOVEMBER - Think of others
Yep, you’ve worked really hard on yourself, and are feeling pretty good with the changes you’ve made. Now, turn that focus around and delve into the world of helping others. It doesn’t have to be much, or cost anything, or be too time consuming. There are zillions of ways to help out in society. Love animals? Volunteer at the animal shelter for a couple of hours. Love conversation? Make friends with an elderly person- they have a whole lifetime of conversation. Want to help cure cancer? Bake some cakes and fundraise. Whatever you choose, you know you’ll feel good about yourself, and the world will be a better place because of you.
DECEMBER - Damage Limitation
Be aware the pitfalls of Christmas time. You will exercise less. You will eat crap. You will drink drinkies. But, hopefully, you’ve had all this time to make positive changes and they are now long-lasting, not fads. So December is about damage limitation- keep up your new good habits as best you can. And, come the 31st, you can be smug and resolution-free for 2015.
New Years resolutions, all year round
Carrie Skinner, MPH student at UCC and owner of www.carrieskinnerfitness.com concludes her advice on how to actually tackle new years resolutions, month-by-month. Continued from Issue 4.