New years' resolutions are a "loaded" topic. On the one hand they provide an exciting opportunity to make exciting improvements in one's life. On the other hand, they come with a huge pressure and they are frequently unsuccessful as stepping stones to real change. In our society, we build up holidays and we are supposed to behave as the holiday dictates. The problem comes for New Year's, in particular, as this celebration comes in the wake of the biggest, most festive season of all. Unfortunately, most Americans are so spent physically and emotionally by New Year's day that they not only cannot gather up the strength and energy to make a profound change in their life but most are weaker than at any other time of the year. Indeed, Americans are the most "ill" in January every year. It hardly seems like the best time to start a new way of being.
This New Year's seems like a special New Year's. We have a new leader coming into power who won on a platform of "change". We as a nation are coming off our worst financial period in 75 years. This is truly a critical time. We are in need of a new way of being, of new habits, and of a new vision like we have never needed previously. There is pressure of enormous magnitude.
Can New Year's resolutions help us now?
As a doctor, I recommend making big life changes (quitting smoking, losing weight, starting an exercise program, cutting out an unhealthy habit) when one is at full strength. If you are at full strength and you are ready to make changes, then go for it! There is nothing more health-enhancing and empowering than making healthy lifestyle changes and MAINTAINING them. Eliminating diabetes, gaining a sense of internal strength, or giving up a negative habit is beautiful. These all can be done. Miraculous strides can be made. I am ready to support anyone who is truly ready to get themselves healthier. However, change is hard. We all know it. We've all failed more than we care to think about. Change needs to be initiated when the tank is full. After a frenzied holiday season of indulgence and prolonged intensity during a time of short days and minimal light may NOT be the best time to change ourselves. In fact, it may be the worst. It is not surprising that an embarrassingly high percent of New Year's resolutions end early in failure.
My suggestion is that we make this year different. I suggest that we collectively and individually let ourselves rest a bit and regenerate. Let's have compassion to ourselves and to others. Let's get ready to change. Let's use winter as it is meant to be used -- as a time to go inside and rejuvenate. Then when the time is right and the tank is full and maybe as spring arrives or when the days are getting longer, we can make those big behavior changes that make us proud of ourselves, let us live longer and live happier. Then, I'll bet those resolutions will be successful and maintained and we'll become the people we want to be and the country we want to be. We can change; we just have to lay the groundwork and have the energy to propel ourselves to new heights. When the time is right, we can make a true plan. Not when the calendar says it is time to change but when we say it is time.
This New Year's seems like a special New Year's. We have a new leader coming into power who won on a platform of "change". We as a nation are coming off our worst financial period in 75 years. This is truly a critical time. We are in need of a new way of being, of new habits, and of a new vision like we have never needed previously. There is pressure of enormous magnitude.
Can New Year's resolutions help us now?
As a doctor, I recommend making big life changes (quitting smoking, losing weight, starting an exercise program, cutting out an unhealthy habit) when one is at full strength. If you are at full strength and you are ready to make changes, then go for it! There is nothing more health-enhancing and empowering than making healthy lifestyle changes and MAINTAINING them. Eliminating diabetes, gaining a sense of internal strength, or giving up a negative habit is beautiful. These all can be done. Miraculous strides can be made. I am ready to support anyone who is truly ready to get themselves healthier. However, change is hard. We all know it. We've all failed more than we care to think about. Change needs to be initiated when the tank is full. After a frenzied holiday season of indulgence and prolonged intensity during a time of short days and minimal light may NOT be the best time to change ourselves. In fact, it may be the worst. It is not surprising that an embarrassingly high percent of New Year's resolutions end early in failure.
My suggestion is that we make this year different. I suggest that we collectively and individually let ourselves rest a bit and regenerate. Let's have compassion to ourselves and to others. Let's get ready to change. Let's use winter as it is meant to be used -- as a time to go inside and rejuvenate. Then when the time is right and the tank is full and maybe as spring arrives or when the days are getting longer, we can make those big behavior changes that make us proud of ourselves, let us live longer and live happier. Then, I'll bet those resolutions will be successful and maintained and we'll become the people we want to be and the country we want to be. We can change; we just have to lay the groundwork and have the energy to propel ourselves to new heights. When the time is right, we can make a true plan. Not when the calendar says it is time to change but when we say it is time.
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