Wellness at Your Fingertips: New Year's Resolutions

Hello Friends,

I hope you are well, and I wish you and your loved ones a happy healthy holiday! Despite the ongoing pandemic, the new year is an exciting time—the chance to start fresh. New year's resolutions are fun to make, but often hard to keep. A strategy that has helped me over the years is to make ‘micro- resolutions’ that are easier to keep and additive over time. Instead of one lofty goal, consider twelve micro-goals. It’s much simpler to stay focused on, and dedicated to, a shorter goal to lay the foundation for a new healthy habit. Starting small and being realistic is the key to success.

Here is an example of one micro-resolution per month:

• January: Notice something new every day.
• February: Read 1 poem a day.
• March: Focus on your sleep.
• April: Go into nature every day.
• May: Try meditation—even for 30 seconds a day.
• June: Focus on active listening.
• July: Increase fresh fruit and water intake every day.
• August: Move more—limit sitting to 30 minutes at a time.
• September: Write in a journal for 10 minutes per day.
• October: Read 1 book.
• November: Practice gratitude and volunteer.
• December: Eat at least 1 whole food a day.

Invite friends to join you, ask for support, be positive, and don’t beat yourself up if you fail—we all do. You may be surprised that some of these micro-resolutions stick and change your life.

Please be safe during the holidays and remember the 3 Ws. It counts now, more than ever:

1. Wash your hands
2. Wear your mask
3. Watch your distance

I hope to see you soon,

Dr. A