Everyone has strong feelings about New Year’s resolutions. There are people who feel that making, and sticking to, a New Year’s Resolution is vital to starting the year on the right foot. The opposing camp feels that setting a New Year’s resolution is pointless because the intention is never seen through to the end.

New Year’s resolutions are an important practice for older adults as long as goals are broad. We suggest everyone make a New Year’s resolution while keeping in mind one of the eight dimensions of wellness. The dimensions of wellness are ideas that all people can continuously strive for, and improve on, throughout the year.

Developed by Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, the dimensions include:

• Emotional
• Environmental
• Financial
• Intellectual
• Occupational
• Physical
• Social
• Spiritual

Here are some ideas for a 2018 New Year’s Resolution based on the eight dimensions of wellness.

1) Emotional dimension: This idea deals with being able to effectively cope with life and creating satisfying relationships.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Instead of focusing on making all personal relationships better focus on one connection at a time. Resolve to improve those relationships that have grown strained over the years or reach out to the people you’ve lost touch with recently. Repair or strengthen one association at the time.

2) Environmental dimension: Occupy stimulating environments that support overall mental and physical well being.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Resolve to slowly remove yourself from any situation that isn’t positive. These include marriages, friendships, jobs and even living situations.

3) Financial dimension: Take control of current and future financial situations.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Pay closer attention to the money you invest. Instead of just trusting a financial advisor, take part in allocating where and how money is spent. Make smarter decisions financially and resolve to save more, even if it’s just an extra dollar a day, for future financial freedom.

4) Intellectual dimension: This dimension involves recognizing creative abilities and expanding on that knowledge and/or skillset.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Resolve to strengthen your own talents by taking a class or expanding your knowledge on the subject. Another idea is to share that talent with others by teaching a class, offering a workshop to those interested in the field, or tutoring others on a one-on-one basis.

• Occupational dimension: It’s incredibly common for an individual to grow bored with their occupation, especially after years on the job. This dimension calls for personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s line of work.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Make a resolution to be more involved at work by either offering to do more than is required, taking on a new position, applying for other positions within the company or offering to train new hires. If you are retired, perhaps consider volunteering at an organization that represents something important to you.

6) Physical dimension: This dimension of wellness calls for recognizing the importance of physical activity, consuming healthy foods, and then getting the proper amount of sleep.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Improving poor health habits is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. Instead of making vague proclamations like “I resolve to lose weight”, make specific resolutions with exact goals like “I will run a 5K this year” or “I will take a cooking class to learn how to prepare healthier meals.”

7) Social dimension: Developing a sense of belonging, a connection to others and harvesting a strong support system of friends and family is the core of this dimension.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Older adults often feel a strong sense of isolation, especially after leaving a job. Resolve to meet up with friends and family members whenever possible or make a point to make new friends.

• Spiritual dimension: The final dimension of wellness calls for an individual to search for a true sense of purpose and meaning in life.

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Resolve to build a stronger faith, either religious or spiritual. You can do this by becoming more involved in your religious organization, giving more of your time to charity or continuously asking questions to expand your knowledge on every facet of life.

Conclusion

Following through with a New Year’s resolution can be tough, but it isn’t impossible. Use these eight dimensions of wellness to guide yourself toward an attainable goal this year. Many of these ideas overlap so it’s possible to make a resolution that hits on more than just one of the dimensions. If possible, make a specific New Year’s Resolution that involves at least two or more extensions and keep a journal of your progress.

Resolve to make 2018 the best year, and best you, ever.