American Psychiatric AssociationHealthyMinds.org - Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives.
HealthyMinds.org
APA Offers Tips for Attaining Your New Year's Resolutions

January 1 is not only the start of the New Year, but is when many begin their New Year’s Resolutions. Manage stress. Eat healthier. Exercise more. Spend more time with family. Sticking to your resolutions and making changes can be difficult but not impossible. The American Psychiatric Association would like to offer tips to help families and individuals keep their resolutions for a healthy mind and healthy life.

Try again. Everyone has made, and broken past resolutions, that does not mean that you won’t succeed this time. Start with a positive approach, including thinking about what has disrupted your good intentions in the past. Don’t discourage yourself with a negative outlook.

Don’t make too many resolutions. Trying to eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, and reduce stress is too much to tackle at once. Pick a realistic, attainable goal with a reasonable time frame.

Choose your own resolution. Make sure this is something that you want to accomplish for yourself and not for friends or family. When you attain the goal they will benefit from your success as well.

Make a plan and write it down. Plan what you’d like to accomplish in three or six months. Achieving small goals over time gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going. Writing your goals down is a good way to keep track of your progress.

Involve friends and family. They can support your efforts, and can motivate you to keep going. Setting a personal goal is not a “promise” which can never be broken. Don’t paint yourself into a corner by overstating what can be a realistic change you plan to make.

Forgive yourself. If you get off track, don’t think that you failed. Review your plan and make adjustments.

Congratulate yourself. Reward yourself when your intermediate goals or resolutions are met.


Mental Health in Uncertain Times
A sudden catastrophic event, failure or humiliation like a home foreclosure or job loss can leave people feeling desperate, profoundly depressed and unable to see a way out, said Robert Simon, M.D., a member of the American Psychiatric Association Workgroup on Suicidal Behaviors. Suicides over foreclosures and financial difficulties have been noted in the media. Anyone who indicates they see suicide as an option should be taken seriously and guided to prompt attention from a knowledgeable professional.
    

Let’s Talk Facts
Courage to Care Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
During the fall and winter months, some people suffer from symptoms of depression that can appear gradually or come on all at once. For some people, this is a sign that they suffer from SAD.

College Students and Alcohol Abuse
Many students engage in underage, risky drinking that could lead to long term alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. The health and social effects of alcohol misuse can be extremely serious and even life threatening.

Let's Talk Facts Brochures:
Folletos Let's Talk Facts

Addiction
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Choosing a Psychiatrist
College Students & Alcohol Abuse
Common Childhood Disorders
Depression
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychiatric Dimensions of HIV & AIDS
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Schizophrenia
Teen Suicide
What is Mental Illness?

Minority Mental Health
African American Mental Health
Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPI)
Hispanic Mental Health
National American Indian/
Alaskan Native Heritage

Men's Mental Health
Military Mental Health

Mental Health Issues
Holiday Stress Resources
Alcohol Awareness
APA Expert Opinions
Children's Issues

College Mental Health
Psychiatry FAQ
Suicide Prevention
Women's Issues
World AIDS Day

Fact Sheets
- Schizophrenia
- Disasters: Mental Health, Students and Colleges
- Confidentiality
- Funerals & Memorials
- Gay, Lesbian & Bi Issues
- Insanity Defense FAQ
- Managed Care
- Media Violence
- Patients Bill of Rights
- Postpartum Depression
- Psychiatric Hospitalization
- Storm Disasters

All information on HealthyMinds.org is © of the American Psychiatric Association
The information contained on the HealthyMinds.org Web site is not intended as, and is not, a substitute for
professional medical advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with your treating physician.