TIPS ON HOW TO STAY POSITIVE IN THE NEW YEAR

    In these challenging times, it may feel like the edge of anxiety is winning over the pursuit of dreams with an uncertain economy, tough job markets, falling house prices, rising living costs, and a host of other maladies that bombast our sojourns through daily life. So much is currently changing in our living and social situations that it may seem like nothing is permanent or dependable anymore. Indeed, the very act of change is enough to send many people over the edge of their comfort zones. Change can be positive, and challenges may bring forth growth, but that is usually decided by the individual.

Take a few moments to focus on the issues, people, or events that are causing you the most angst. Whether you feel positive or apprehensive about your life, the economy, or current events, here are a few helpful approaches to living that may aid in developing a more optimistic attitude for a new year.

1. Focus on the Positive: Since people are surrounded daily with negative news about the economy, jobs, health care reform, terrorism, wars, etc., it is even more important than ever before to maintain a positive outlook and not be dragged into a negative state of being. Research has shown that thinking positive thoughts releases neuro-chemicals in the brain that cause a pleasure response. If you find that the majority of your thoughts are negative, take the time to write down three or four things a day that were positive, forward moving, and that made you feel good. Review these written thoughts throughout the month or year.

    

2. Let Go of the Issues/People Who Bring Negativity into Your Life. Much has been written about toxic relationships and the negative psychic and physical effects that are generated in a person’s body and mind from such relationships. Indeed, the stress, loss of self-esteem, anxiety, and depression that can culminate from negative and debilitating personal experiences may cause severe physical and mental illnesses. It is a much healthier alternative to let go of debilitating thoughts, such as ruminating over lost investments, and move on to positively developing a new path, for example in securing your financial future. While you may not be able to move away from all the people or situations that cause you stress, remember the friends and family members with whom you feel nurtured, and take more time to talk to or be with them.

    

3. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Many of us have stressful jobs, tight schedules, multiple duties, or we may be working a couple of jobs to make ends meet. No matter what is on your schedule, you can benefit from practicing several different approaches to relaxation. Some of the most researched and practiced relaxation approaches include meditation, deep breathing techniques, taking a “time out”, biofeedback, and napping. There is a point at which stress tips your biological scale to being unbeneficial and unproductive. Any or all of these relaxation techniques can help you to de-stress, feel more positive, and regain personal control of your emotions and health.

    

4. Prioritize Sleep. The neuro-chemical serotonin is released when you have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. In addition, your dream sequences give you the most mental stability and release from stress after 7 to 8 hours of sleeping time. Therefore, when you are short on sleep, you are losing valuable time and the opportunity to refresh and restore your mental capacities. Sleep deprivation can bring on mental instability, loss of memory, signs of depression from a lack of serotonin, and weight gain. Try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly to feel your positive best.

    

    

5. Exercise Regularly: Exercising releases endorphins into your brain and body, and these endorphins are the same brain chemicals you feel when you feel love. Regular exercise can make you feel better about yourself, have long reaching health benefits, and act as a de-stressor. Make sure that you choose forms of exercise that are fun for you, and that you exercise at least three times a week for the best results. Even 15 minutes of daily exercise has been shown to be beneficial to the human body and mind. If you can’t do your favorite sport, such as snowboarding in the summer, try a new sport or exercise regime to fill in the time between sports seasons.

    

6. Use Cognitive Restructuring: In psychology, cognitive restructuring means looking at the same thought from a different angle. All of us have “mental chatter” in our minds, and sometimes these thoughts ruminate and repeat numerous times throughout our daily life causing us stress and mental exhaustion if the thoughts are negative in nature. Only you can change the thoughts in your mind, and only you can change the focus to which you give mental time and attention. You are in control of how you view any given situation, and the people who take the worst of times and think they are opportunities are practicing positive cognitive restructuring and demonstrating resiliency. For example, your car may have died, and you think this is a disastrous situation that will cost you money, waste your time in finding a new car, and be a transportation pain. On the contrary, you can think that the death of the car provides you with the opportunity to get a new car that will be safer, you can get a car that better suits your current needs and one that will save money on gas. What seemed like a catastrophe can be viewed as a positive outcome by using cognitive restructuring.

    

7. Be Grateful: No matter what happened to you over the past year, things could be worse and things could be better. Although it is sometimes difficult to feel gratitude during difficult and challenging times, being thankful can give your life optimism, courage, and a positive outlook. Every day take an inventory of what is going well in your life, of all the people you love and those who love you, and of the things you have done or achieved, no matter how small, that have been forward moving and good. You will be amazed at how these changes in attitude can bring internal happiness and a fresh, positive perspective.

    

8. Volunteer With Others Less Fortunate Than You. Whether you are volunteering at a soup kitchen or working with stroke victims on crossword puzzles, there is always someone who is less fortunate than you. Helping others is a valuable way to see your unique areas of strengths, feel needed and useful, and give positive priorities to your life. The very act of helping others and doing altruistic service can make you feel useful and vibrant and those whom you help will have their lives and burdens lightened by your selfless acts of kindness.

    

Laugh More: The cliché that laughter is the best medicine has roots in science. Laughter has been shown to increase T-cell antibodies that boost the immune system and fight off infections. Humor has also been shown to increase pain tolerance and decrease stress levels. Seen another way, laughter and sadness cannot occupy the same mental space. The stress hormone cortisol drops substantially in response to laughter, and good physical health is also correlated with increases in laughter and humor. Using humor to deal with stressful situations relieves negative thoughts and feelings and gives the person a new, positive perspective on the troubling issue or situation.

ENJOYING THE TRUE MEANINGFULNESS OF THE HOLIDAYS

    The economic recession, global warming, unemployment, and world unrest are dominating the headlines now right at the same time people in the United States are busily preparing for the holidays. I have listened to many people saying they are buying less and cutting back on holiday decorations and parties this year to cut costs, save money, and because they are afraid of what the uncertain future may bring. Although none of us can really know what the New Year will bring, these are still times to be enjoyed with the ones we love. How can you enjoy the holidays, spend almost no money, and get the best spirit of the holidays ignited? Here are some timely suggestions.

1. Cook Together: The holidays are centered on family and friends sharing meals and spending time together. This is a wonderful time to share the kitchen with anyone who wants to help and participate. From making holiday cookies and pies to peeling and mashing potatoes, there is something for everyone to do. Home baked goods make wonderful, thoughtful presents, too.

    

2. Share the Decorating: Decorating the house for the holidays can be a joyful family event, not the chore and expense it is sometimes made to be. Making your own decorations can be creative and entertaining, such as making fancy snowflakes for room decorations. To do this activity, cut white or silver paper into octagonal and hexagonal shapes, fold them, and have even the youngest family members make snowflakes to hang on string from the ceilings or windows.

    

3. Make Gift Certificates for Fun Times Together: There are a plethora of free certificates available online or through most computer programs. Select the ones you like the best for your gifts and download the certificates. The gifts should be for things you enjoy to do together, such as a game of tennis or a movie night. The gifts could cost nothing, such as a foot massage, or be inexpensive, such as a batch of their favorite brownies. The thoughtfulness of this personalized gift will be greatly appreciated.

    

4. Do Activities Together: Spending quality time together has become a bit of a cliché, but the meaning is still welcomed. Make time together to go for a walk, go ice skating, play football, or cuddle and watch old movies. When I lived in Hawaii, we had a beloved tradition of going to the beach every year on Christmas Day. Make your own holiday traditions, and keep them going throughout the years.

    

5. Read Holiday Books. If you have children, or young members of the family, take the time to read holiday books to them so they understand the meaning of the holiday and how the traditions historically developed. You can store the books and read them again over the years at the holidays bringing you together again through this tradition. You can also have some holiday books for you to enjoy each year, such as holiday cookbooks, holiday crafts, etc.

    

Be Positive and Grateful: If you seem harried and overwhelmed at the holidays, take the time to remember all the things for which you are grateful, and all the people you love. You might want to ask everyone with whom you are sharing the holidays to give one or two things for which they are grateful, too. Enjoy the beauty of the time spent together with loved ones in the present holiday, as you are developing treasured times today that will last in a lifetime montage of beautiful personal memories.

    I am the President of the not-for-profit HCCUA. We are changing the acronym for the association’s name to better reflect the services and benefits we offer to our Members. The new name will be Healthcare Cost Containment United Association.

    The name change for the association will not change any of the benefits afforded to Members, and the association’s contact numbers and address will remain the same as before. For the Members with health insurance policies, their policies will also remain the same as previously.

    The new name and the change have been mitigated by the confusion some consumers had with considering the association to be a credit union. As all the HCCUA Members know, HCCUA has never been a credit union, but rather, we offer educational materials and articles regarding finances, savings, and taxes. The mission of HCCUA is to provide our Members with numerous pathways to contain costs and save money on health insurance, shopping, entertainment, pet services, roadside assistance, and a host of other lifestyle benefits.

    I hope the name change is not confusing to any consumers or HCCUA members. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our Member Services Department at (866) 227- 5400.