We've organized an online toolkit to get your started on your health and financial New Year's Resolutions. Below you'll find common resolutions and local as well as national resources to help you get started. If you're not sure what resolutions to make, we've also offered our own suggestions.
Manage Your Debt
Aside from the fact that managing your debt/money frequently appears on folks list of New Year's Resolutions, we featured this resolution because debt management has implications for your health. According to a 2010 study entitled "Debt and depression" by Richard Disney and Sarah Bridges increases in debt can also increase levels of depression. In addition, when someone experiences depression, depending to what degree they experience it, it may be more difficult for them to manage the debt and/or work which in turn may worsen their. That being said, the study also found that individuals who sought support or had better stress management skills did not find their help was impacted as signficantly by debt.
If you want to work to reduce your debt and debt related stress, we suggest these two resources:
Quit Smoking
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) lists Tobacco use as one of the top 10 health issues ALL LGBT people should discuss with their providers. They encourage LGBT people to quit smoking because they increase your risk of the following diseases: cancer, emphysema, heart disease (the three major causes of death among women), heart attack and stroke (these risk for these increases even more when combined with estrogen and testosterone, meaning transgender people who take hormones and smoke have a higher risk). Smoking increases the risk of all of these health issues in men as well.
If you want support outside of your primary care physician to help you quit smoking, we encourage you to check out the New York State Smoker's Quit Line which provides the following resources: access to a "Quit Coach" or someone who helps you strategize your smoking cessation (quiting) process and potential free nicotine patches and gum if you qualify.* There is also an online support community and resources related to choosing different support medications, as well as information on managing weight gain that may occur after quitting.
*I did notice that when applying for the free smoking cessation products (the gum, patches, etc.) that you do need to choose male or female as your gender. There was no place to check transgender or other. I agree that this is problematic and wanted to alert folks ahead of time.
Get Support for Substance Abuse
Another health topic on GLMA's list is receiving support for substance abuse. Statisically the LGBT community as a whole sturggles with higher rates of substance abuse than the heterosexual community. Since substance abuse has implications for physical and mental health, seeking support to address it is an efficient way of addressing other overall health issues.
Two resources I would recommend for substance abuse support are:
3) If you are not in recovery, but would like to be supportive of someone who is at a holiday or other type of party, check out our link.
Manage Stress
Stress has implications for the rest of your health ranging to its effects on your immune system, your sleep and your weight to anxiety and depression. While this article focuses primarily on holiday stress, it has some good tips related to financial stress, time management and the loss of a loved. Click here for more information.
Our Suggested New Year's Resolution: Come Out to Your Provider
A 2005 survey found that 39% of gay/bisexual men are not out to their providers. This is significant because by being out to your provider you are better able to discuss health issues in a relevant way. For example, a lesbian or bisexual woman are more likely than heterosexual/straight women to have risk factors for breast and gynecological cancers such as: having never taken hormonal birth control, having never given birth, smokes and to be overweight. If you doctor did not know about your sexual orientation, they make be less likely to screen you for this risk factors, as well as for related diseases. In addition, if you do not feel comfortable being open and honest with your doctor about your sexual orientation and/or your gender identity, you may be less likely to request services that you need. To learn more about this click here.
If you currently feel uncomfortable being out to your provider, feel free to browse the Resource Directory to find an LGBT affirming provider.
Get More Exercise
Exercise reduces your risk for a variety of diseases ranging from heart disease and high blood pressure to cancer. The Center for Disease control recommends that adults ages 18-65 years old get 2.5 hours of cardio activity (i.e. brisk walking) per week and should do 2 or more workouts per week that work all major muscle groups. For youth 17 years old and younger, they should get 1 hour of aerobic activity (i.e. brisk walking) three times per week and strength training and bone building activities (i.e. jumping rope, lifting weights, etc.) three times per week as well. Adults ages 65 years old and older should get 2.5 hours total per week of aerobic activity (brisk walking) and two days of strength training activities.
For adults 50+ years old, the Ruby Sneakers Program through Rainbow SAGE is a great chance work out for free with other active older adults. They meet every Thursday at Callan-Harris Physical Therapy, 1328 Univer-sity Avenue, between Culver Road and Blossom Road, next to Rochester City Ballet. They meet at 5:45pm.
I would also encourage you to check out the Gay Alliance's Sport and Fitness Directory that includes listings for LGBT groups committed to physical activities and fun. Some of the activities included in the page are: dancing, hiking, fishing, rugby, soccer, running, etc. For me information click here.
Finally, if you are looking for a new provider we would encourage you to utilize our Resource Directory.
For More Health Issues to Consider in Your New Year's Resolutions Check Out GLMA's Top 10 Lists:
Top Ten Things Lesbians Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
Top Ten Things Transgender Persons Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
Top Ten Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
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