2023 is a New Year in which many people think that they will be able to make extraordinary changes and implement all the resolutions that in good faith have been set as goals to be met. Lack of encouragement after the holidays, and not being able to keep your New Year’s resolutions in February, March, and even at the end of January, can increase anxiety. High Impacto is inviting everyone to take this first month of this new year as the time to reflect on their behavior from the past year and promise to make positive changes in their lives.
Start in moderation. Make resolutions that you think you can keep. For example, if you would like to eat a more balanced, try replacing dessert with another food you like, such as fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a punishment. If you are a very popular person and your sex life is very active, try to keep condoms close and ready to be used to avoid a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or an unwanted pregnancy. There are more prevention options than ever before, and condoms remain a highly effective option for preventing both HIV and other STIs. You can also start with your PrEP regimen to prevent HIV.
Share your experiences with your family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as an exercise class at your gym or a group of colleagues who are in the process of quitting smoking or maintaining a healthier lifestyle after being diagnosed positive for HIV. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with will make your path to a healthy life much easier and cause you less worry.
Start the conversation about HIV prevention options that work for you. Talk to your partners and friends about getting tested for HIV. Knowing whether or not you have HIV helps you make choices to stay healthy. HIV testing is free, fast, and confidential. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. So, if you have HIV, then ask us about ARTAS. It’s important to make choices that keep you healthy and protect others.
Although many will advise you to count your New Year’s resolutions so that you can be realistic about fulfilling them, remember that resolutions are very personal objectives. Therefore, you do not have to publish them on your social networks or shout them from the rooftops, in doing so, you won’t have to deal with people trying to discourage you, question you, or judge your decision. So, only tell your goals to people who push you to follow them and with whom you feel comfortable and safe. Look for High Impacto if you want to accomplish your goals of maintaining good overall health and better sexual health. Be sure to check out all services at https://highimpacto.org/. Contact us by writing to us at info@highimpacto.org or by calling us at 954-947-3603. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @highimpacto. Also, look for our institutional program En Confianza on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@highimpacto3490/ And let’s remember that the year has 365 days to make our goals a reality!