Every year, for weeks leading up to the New Year and long into January, I find myself contemplating the practice of setting a New Year’s resolution. Usually, this tradition involves making a firm decision to change yourself one way or another, usually for the better. We’re often encouraged to make multiple ambitious benchmarks and our wellness or our ability to improve our habits are usually a target. We chide both ourselves and others if we don’t measure up.
By the end of January, most of us will have abandoned our resolutions all together. Generally, it’s good to set goals and I believe the New Year is a wonderful moment to reflect on the importance of taking care of ourselves.
However, from a combination of personal experience and observation, I encourage a more flexible approach this year. Instead of a firm resolution, I encourage you to make one simple and flexible intention: resolve to get started toward prioritizing your mental and physical health. Each one of us is unique individuals with our own wants, needs, means and obligations.
A small step for one person may be a huge step for the next and exchanging our day-to-day habits for healthier ones is an ongoing process. One year is not long enough, To make a larger want or dream achievable, start with smaller steps that can accumulate over time.
With facilities across Bakersfield and numerous free and low-cost programs, North of the River can help you get started toward prioritizing your mental and physical health.
I encourage you to consider any one of these small steps:
• Be spontaneous! Some of us need to gauge how we’re feeling day to day and that’s OK. When you’re up to it, take a walk at one of North of the River’s 24 parks or drop in at one of our open gym programs. For instance, we have Indoor Basketball at our Greenacres Community Center (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., ages 18+, $3) and Disc Golf courses at our Riverview and San Lauren parks (available during park hours, all ages, free). You may also be interested in exploring the popular fast-growing sport of pickleball, which is an activity that literally anyone can play. During Open Gym, we have Indoor Pickleball, which is available almost every day of the week at the Riverview Community Center (Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ages 18+, $3) and at…
adult, basketball, january, league, practice, sport, tennis, wellness
0 Comments
Private Internet Access gives you unparalleled access to thousands
of next-gen servers in over 83 countries and each US state. Your
VPN experience will always be fast, smooth, and reliable.