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New Year's Resolutions

© Barbara J. Mitchell

This year, instead of making a vague New Year's resolution like "I resolve to lose some weight," why not make some definite, planned resolutions? The more planning you put into them, the more likely you are to keep them.

For headache sufferers the best resolutions are to take really good care of your health, see a doctor about the headaches if you haven't done that, and make an effort to identify and avoid your headache triggers.

This means doing some serious thinking about your habits and your body. Be honest now - no one has to know but you.

The first step is to buy a daily planner. It doesn't have to be an expensive one. In fact, a calendar with lots of space to write will do. You will use it to keep track of your headaches as well as appointments and birthdays and anniversaries. Plus -

How about nutrition? Do you fill up on junk foods or skip meals? I know you're busy, but a good resolution for you would be to plan your schedule better so you allow time for three balanced meals. Try planning a whole week's meals ahead, with your daily planner beside you, then buy what you need for at- home meals and brown bag lunches, and decide where you will eat out so you don't find yourself grabbing fast food on the fly.

Poor nutrition and eating on the run are guaranteed to increase the number and intensity of your headaches. They also contribute to obesity.

Another common problem these days when we're all so busy is lack of sleep, which is also a major factor in chronic headaches. Back to that planner again. Resolve to schedule your life so you can get to bed at a decent hour. The fact that you have everything planned for the next day will help you actually get to sleep.

The most popular resolution is one I've already mentioned - losing weight - and it's the one most certain to be broken within days. That may be partly from lack of planning how to do it and how fast to lose. Frustration about your weight also contributes to headaches when added to all the other, unavoidable, stresses in our lives.

Help yourself by planning your exercise schedule - mark a definite time for it on your calendar each day. The fact that you're also planning your meals will help immensely - no more excuses to have a fatty burger and fries for lack of time.

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