Prepare yourself for a Healthy New Year
Afraid of making another New Year’s resolution, simply because you might break it?

"Never hesitate to make resolutions," says Mary Beth Husseini, APRN, BC, Akron General psychiatric clinical nurse specialist. "As long as they are reasonable and in tune with your priorities. Often we try to fool ourselves by setting goals to make a positive change, like decreasing stress in our lives or simply being happier overall. Usually, our New Year’s resolutions represent things we know we should already be doing, but just haven’t had the time or the energy to pursue. Chances of success are less likely if there’s not enough commitment to change and if you don’t plan for your change. Unrealistic expectations, along with unmet goals can equal stress and disappointment."

Planning for change means that you set aside some time to think through the changes, says Husseini. It means visualizing the difference in your behaviors and visualizing yourself being successful at them.

"Also, don’t be afraid to set smaller goals. There’s nothing wrong with setting a goal of losing three to four pounds, instead of 10 to 20. Or maybe it’s cutting back on your caffeine intake – cut back by one cup of coffee instead of cutting it out altogether. Once you’ve achieved a smaller goal, you can always set another. Goal-setting can and should be a year-round process."

By putting some thought and effort into planning your resolutions, you can be more successful and feel good about achieving them – a feeling that should continue all year round.

Need a little help in making healthy changes? Akron General offers educational programs and classes to help you do just that. Our Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences presents a popular series of self-help programs, called "Managing Life One Thursday at a Time," throughout January, February and March.

Upcoming topics include:

For information on this self-help series, call our Partial Hospitalization Program at 330-344-1559.

For more information on these and other programs to stay healthy throughout the year, click on the title or visit