TOMORROW, the new day will equal a new year. I hope that 2017 allowed for good mental and physical health. To those who have had an unfortunate year, I hope you are positive that better will come in the New Year. In 2018, our/others mortality, fears, some opportunities and unfortunate events will still be uncontrollable but our attitudes, behaviour toward ourselves and others, as well as our own perceptions, will be.

It is obvious why we celebrate the New Year. Much like birthdays, we rejoice because we made it to another year in these hard times- Time to our raise our glasses and toast our survival!

My favourite thing about New Year’s has always been resolutions and the hope and determination that accompanies them. I’m aware (based on my own actions as well as those around me) that most resolutions only last until the end of January. We tend to give up on these for various reasons- they may have been unrealistic, unimportant or pressured. To solve this- the answer seems obvious. Choose resolutions that you are able to do, that you want to do and most importantly, that improves your overall quality of life.

For a tip, I researched some scientific studies conducted on individuals who made resolutions. Those who planned theirs in detail were 22% more likely to succeed. For example, aiming to lose 10 pounds in two months rather than just having the resolution to ‘lose weight’. Additionally, those who told their friends and families about these resolutions were 10% more likely to succeed than those who did not.

I have countless Resolutions this year – all of which I believe are possible with hard work.
They all focus on self-development and are critical to obtaining and maintaining good mental health. I would like to share them with the hope that some of you may adopt the same ones.

In 2018, I hope to:
– Get better sleep
– Eat and exercise well
– Adapt only healthy coping skills/strategies
– Practice gratitude
– Boast my self-confidence and self-esteem
– Practice positive thinking
– Be aware of my strengths and weaknesses
– Celebrate my victories
– Practice forgiveness

I suggest that everyone keeps a journal with their resolutions. Write one thing (every day) that you have done in order to fulfil your resolution. This will encourage you to keep going as well as create self-confidence by being able to clearly see your progress.

I urge you all to write to my email below and tell me what your resolutions are. I can discuss them in the upcoming weeks. I hope this will benefit you as well as encourage others to choose and maintain their own resolutions.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at:

Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department:
Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs -12:00hrs

Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department
Drug and Alcohol group meetings – Mondays 16:00hrs
Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 16:00hrs
Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896