Health
Psychologist’s Tips for Setting Achievable New Year’s Health Resolutions in 2024
Expert from global health system Cleveland Clinic advises focusing on the motivation for change, and ensuring goals are ‘SMART’ to encourage long-term success
January 11, 2024, NASSAU, Bahamas: New Year’s resolutions are often abandoned almost as soon as they are made, but according to a psychologist from global health system Cleveland Clinic, the problem could lie in how the resolutions were formulated, rather than a perceived lack of willpower.
“To improve the chances of long-term success, individuals can carefully consider why they want to achieve a certain lifestyle goal, being as specific as possible, says David Creel PhD, a clinical psychologist, exercise physiologist and registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic, “Regularly revisiting the ‘why’ behind the objective can help people keep up the momentum after the initial enthusiasm has worn off. Even if individuals have already broken their resolutions, they can reformulate these in a way that supports a successful outcome.”
Once clear on their motivation, individuals can improve their chances of success by reviewing their work-life balance and committing to prioritizing self-care in the same way they would do for work success, for example.
The next step, says Dr. Creel, would be to formulate the health objective using the concept of SMART goals, meaning goals that are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic and Time-bound. He gives the following example of goal that is SMART: “I am going to get up at 7am, four days a week, to take a 30-minute walk.”
Another useful approach, says Dr. Creel, could be to reframe outcome-oriented goals as behavior-oriented goals.
“Sometimes people start out with an outcome goal such as wanting to lose 30 pounds, whereas it could be more effective to identify behaviors that need to change to achieve this goal. For example, they could aim to walk on the treadmill, rather than sitting on the couch, when watching a favorite TV show.”
Building in a timeframe for the regular reevaluation of goals is also important, especially when overarching goals have been broken down into short-term, measurable goals, says Dr. Creel. This reassessment can be done by the individual themselves, or with support from a loved one. Other options are to join a virtual or in-person group, program or app that holds them accountable or keeps them motivated.
“This has to be well thought out, so your choice of accountability partner is not counterproductive,” says Dr. Creel. “For example, if you are new to exercising and decide to work out with a friend who doesn’t enjoy exercising, you could easily end up talking each other out of any activity,”
Another helpful measure is the use of rewards. “In general, internal motivation is more powerful than external motivation,” Dr Creel says. “However, when it comes to starting something new, judicious use of rewards can be really helpful. A non-food reward, such as a massage, after a certain number of weeks can keep you motivated as you head towards achieving your overall goal.”
Setting some ‘one and done’ goals, such as signing up to complete a 5km walkathon, could also help support the achievement of a long-term goal, says Dr. Creel. He says that by achieving several smaller, realistic goals, the person can build their confidence and motivation.
To increase their chances of success, individuals can also prepare and rehearse for temptations and challenges. “For example, if you want to commit to taking an exercise class every second day, but have previously found that some days leave you too tired to exercise, you could decide beforehand that on days like these you will do at least 10 minutes of exercise, which you can easily fit in while watching a TV program,” says Dr. Creel.
Similarly, he says, a person can identify obstacles such as moods that interfere with good intentions and then think about what has helped to overcome this obstacle in the past, for example socializing might help if someone feels down. If people normally ‘stress-eat’, they could anticipate this by having a prepacked calorie-controlled treat at the back of the cupboard to reach for, which helps eliminate the ‘all or nothing’ feeling that could lead to overeating.
“If there are specific mood disorders that get in the way of success or a person is experiencing an ongoing struggle in an issue such as managing their weight, they could consider seeking support from a psychologist specialized in that area to help them to explore and manage the issue,” Dr. Creel concludes.
Health
Successful Community Kidney Screening Events Hosted by InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital and Ministry of Health and Human Services in Grand Turk and Salt Cay
(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 19th, 2024): – InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Community Kidney Screening Events held in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. These events marked a significant milestone in promoting kidney health awareness and early detection.
On April 12, 2024, on Grand Turk (Dillon Hall) and April 13, 2024, on Salt Cay (Ministry of Health Clinic), participants had the opportunity to receive immediate screening results and personalized guidance from dedicated healthcare professionals. The collaborative effort between InterHealth Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services empowered individuals to prioritize their kidney health and take proactive steps towards well-being.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO of InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, shared, “We are happy to see the positive impact of the Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. By providing accessible screenings and expert guidance by our clinical teams, including our nephrologist and internist, we equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their kidney health.”
Similarly, Dr Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “These events have showcased the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining optimal kidney health.”
The support of sponsors, including the TCI Boating Club, Air and Sea Agency, The Olympic Group Limited, Flow and Digicel, played a crucial role in the success of the Community Kidney Screening Events.
InterHealth-Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are excited to announce that a series of Kidney Community Screenings with dates for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos will be revealed soon, further extending the impact of this important initiative.
The Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay have set a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to prioritize kidney health and well-being within the community. Together, we are taking proactive steps towards building a healthier future for all.
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.
This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.
Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.
These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.
In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.
In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”
The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.
Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”
Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.
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