We are about to start a new decade, 2020! With the beginning of a new year, we all strive to make changes to improve ourselves. Whether it’s to go back to school, be more patient with others, or have healthier eating habits. People generally want to better themselves as time goes on, even knowing it will take some discipline and effort. Many times we encourage change as it makes life more interesting. Starting new and healthy resolutions can dramatically change your happiness and well-being. 

Before glossing over having a New Year’s resolution, think about something you would like to do better in your life. Big or small if you could enhance your daily life by eating healthier or treating others better, you should consider it. For a nurse, there are plenty of things they could wish for. More time with family, more time for personal hobbies, etc. Although the only way to make that happen is to allocate it. Instead of watching the next episode of your favorite show, spend time with a loved one or prepare a healthy lunch for work. 

Here are some helpful tips for your New Year’s resolutions!

Have Realistic Goals in Mind

If you are making a resolution to travel the world or do something that is probably unrealistic, you are setting yourself up for eventual disappointment. There are goals that are achievable and realistic that can improve your daily life. With nursing, you have a very varied schedule with one day working a day shift and the next, a night shift. Meaning you have to base goals on that type of schedule. You can decide on a work goal such as specializing more in a certain field or managing stress in a healthier way. 

Be Specific About Your Resolutions

Making general resolutions often means you are less likely to achieve them. Since physical fitness is a common New Year’s resolution, simply saying I want to go to the gym more will not lead you towards any goal. Instead, saying I want to go to the gym 3 times a week is much more specific. You can even base the workout days on your days off that week. A specific goal for a nurse could be arriving to work earlier to feel less rushed, or being more organized with your notes. There is always room for improvement in every aspect of life, and working on one goal at a time may work better for you. So, try to make specific goals and you will be more likely to reach them. 

Share Your Goals With Friends

For more motivation to complete your resolutions, you might want to tell others. Whether it’s your spouse, friends or coworkers. By telling people, you will feel more responsibility to fulfill your resolutions and stay true to your word. Also, if you aren’t feeling motivated to eat healthily or study more, having a friend to talk to can help. I suggest that you only share your resolutions with people you trust. People that won’t make you feel less than for not completing them if that is to happen. Either way, by sharing your resolutions with others it helps you connect and feel more motivated to take action. 

Maintain a Healthy Mindset

While most people associate a new year with possibilities and new beginnings, for others it is a reminder of a lack of change. For nurses specifically, it’s important to maintain a positive outlook as this career is very overwhelming at times. To maintain a healthy mindset you need to remind yourself about the good you are doing and the help you are providing to others. Putting a smile on your face can make all the difference for your anxious or sad patients, who are going through a lot of stress as well. By having a positive attitude, you may even inspire your patients to have New Year’s resolutions themselves. 

Balance Your Life

Many people will avoid making resolutions because they don’t believe it’s worth it or they feel too overwhelmed to consider it. Instead of making a big list of changes you want, start with a few to balance your life more. Resolutions that will make you feel better and more balanced as a person are worth trying. Everyone should try to maintain a healthy work-life balance if possible. This is so important for mental and physical health, and your loved ones. 

Treat Yourself

While you should aim to achieve your resolution, it’s equally important to reward yourself for accomplishing it. In order to give you the motivation to work on your goals, promise yourself something in return. For example, if you work out three times a week for a month, you can treat yourself to something that makes you happy. If you are working to improve your career including taking night classes, you should really reward yourself for all the hard work you are doing. 

Nurses should not hesitate to make resolutions even if they think their schedule cannot handle anymore. If making better and healthier choices is possible, it will only benefit you and your family long-term. Don’t be afraid to adjust your goals as you work on them. And don’t feel like a failure if you cannot do as much as you thought. Focus on improving your skills and your mental health this New Year’s and spreading the gift of care to all!

Happy New Year!