It's a roller-coaster year

"Tough people last, tough times don't" That's what I am reminding myself as the ecomonic times bite harder through 2009. This is one tough year for many people.

Like all tough times, the people and organisations who survive have to have a certain relience - that ability to bounce back, even when the going gets tough!

It all starts with attitude! Staying positive is just so important in tough times. That doesn't mean that you don't see what is going on around you - it does mean that you are always looking for the opportunities which are right there in front of you. And they are there.

It's really important to keep on track for healthy living - get out and about in the fresh air when you can, meet up with friends, have things in your life which bring you great joy! That is what will keep you going.

AS part of meeting the challenge of tough times, Independent Nursing Practice is looking at every part of our work to make sure that we give an even better service. We've done a bit of brain-storming, and realising that a lot of young people don't know that even when they see one of our doctors, their visit is free is they are under 22 years old. We've been invited to be part of a programme that looks at how we can meet the needs of young men better. We're forming a group to give us advice on how we can meet the needs of Maori and Pacific people better.

If you have have feedback you would like to give us, or if you would like to be part of these groups - please send us an email - we want to hear from you, so we can do better work for you! With your input, and our team - we can do fantastic things! Email us now so you have your say!

It's a new year - and with that, another opportunity to start the year off with new vigor! The question for each of us to ask ourselves is this:

If I could change one thing about myself this year, what would it be?

There are so many things which we can do to have happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives! It's actually incredibly easy to make changes - so long as we make one change at a time, and that we are really committed to that one change.

• Get fitter: start doing something physically active which you really enjoy. Take it easy to start out with - take care not to push too hard. Getting out and doing a little daily, is more significant than launching out to a big fitmess programme you can't sustain.
• Take some care about what you eat. It's proven - healthy food, in healthy quantities, keeps you healthier! Treats are just fine now and again - it's the day-to-day eating which makes the difference. Many New Zealanders are just slowly putting on weight at a rate of 1 kg a year - that's just under 3 grams - about the equivalent of one potato chip a day!
• There are many ways to make yourself happier but here's one : do something for someone else - random acts of kindness are good for you (and everyone else).
• Think about what you want in your life, not what you don't want. You may not always reach you ultimate goals, but you'll get much, much closer than if you have no direction at all.
• Just do it - now! There's nothing like putting things off to never get to where you want to go. Start you're new change today - right now! Getting started is often the hardest part of all. Just get out - and do it.

Have a wonderful, healthy, fulfilled 2009

Annette Milligan