New Year Resolutions

Did you make any resolutions to start off this year?

There are of course the standard ones, such as smoking and dieting but there are many others that are of equal importance dependent on mind frame and motivation such as……….

Your job……… or even looking at a career change by going back to school to continue your education, study a language, it could even be for simply enriching your life and taking a non-vocational course in a skill or art form that you have always wanted to do but never found the time to commit to.

Have you thought about making a difference, whether it’s by volunteering or giving something back to the community for the benefit of other people is a very satisfying resolution? If you have some time on your hands however small, there is always someone who could benefit from it. This could take the form of doing some shopping for an elderly neighbour, helping at a charity shop, volunteering at a hospital, the list is endless.

Quitting smoking is one of the most popular resolutions often beginning with lots of momentum and optimism. Perhaps one such way to motivate yourself could be to put the monies that you save from quitting towards a trip that you have always promised yourself. There IS help out there for you if you need it and at your local NHS Stop Smoking Service they will give you the support you need when you want to go smokefree. For free, friendly, specialist advice about quitting, contact Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service on: 08000 389 3998 to find a service local to you or text the word ‘QUIT’ to 07800 001337 or visit them at www.smokefreehertfordshire.nhs.uk.

Dieting is always an issue for many people and is a constant nightmare for me. I just love food and especially chocolate but I am also very aware of my waistline especially as I am constantly in the public eye attending events and of course do not want to ruin my svelte figure. There is so much help available and so many healthy options on the market to eat low fat, low sugar food with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and of course ………exercise.

Exercise is a resolution that often gets made but doesn’t always get kept to. We all have big hopes of joining a gym, going for that long walk on the weekends, swimming early in the morning before work but when the winter is upon us and the weather is cold we seem to lose the impetus to keep going. Look out for me you may see me jogging early in the morning whilst listening to Vibe Radio.

Money is one of those topics that can be a source of major stress. It is always much better to know what you are dealing with and take advice or see a Financial Advisor to reduce your debt and save money. The Watford Citizen’s Advice Bureau offers practical, up-to-date information and advice on a wide range of topics, including debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems. They can be contacted on 08444 111 444 or check out their website at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/watfordcab.htm.

Another organisation is the Watford Credit Union that will help and encourage people to save and manage money. They are based at our offices in Clarendon Road and can be contacted on 01923 23640. Their website is: http://watfordcreditunion.co.uk.

Getting organised can make you feel a whole lot better especially if you are spending far too much time looking for documentation and other necessities. Make sure you simplify your paperwork and make your life easier – it may be as easy as purchasing some new folders and filing papers under specific headings. May 2012 bring you all that you wish for and that any plans that you make bring about positive change with only good opportunities and good health coming your way.

To find out more information about anything happening at the Trust, please contact me on trusty.house@wcht.org.uk.

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