The New Year is finally here! It seems as if it were just the start of 2020 and to be honest, we cannot believe how fast the year has flown by! While we’re still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much new hope with the start of 2021. We’re early into January so if you’re still trying to figure out your resolution, you still have time!
Typically, resolutions can seem large and circulate around lots of change and this can be intimidating. Instead, choose a resolution that pinpoints specific changes that are personalized to you and what you want when it comes to your health both physically and mentally! You may even find that these resolutions are easier to follow through with and actually implement into your life! In this blog post, we will be discussing some of our favorite resolutions that we will for sure be implementing in the new year. Keep reading to learn more!
Exercise to be Healthy, Not For Weight Loss
Fitness and health tend to be the number one resolution for most people. This can be for a variety of reasons, but one reason that people make going to the gym their resolution is due to all of the holiday eating that takes place November through December. Instead of making it your goal to drop the holiday weight, or quarantine weight, that you may have gained and obsessing over the number on the scale, make your overall health the priority. When it comes to losing weight in the new year, many people try to follow strict and restrictive exercise plans and diets that only lead to them burning out and then gaining that weight back at a later time.
Instead of pushing yourself to follow strict rules that may not be realistic, make your new year’s goal something that you can sustain for a longer period of time. Go to the gym to be healthy, not just skinny. Health is also so much more than being thin. Prioritizing your physical health when it comes to fitness will get you much farther than having the goal of losing a couple of pounds because your health is a long term goal, where weight is a short term one. It’s also much better for your mental health too, which is an incredible added bonus. This year try to focus on prioritizing how you feel, not just how you look, as the rest will follow, and you’ll probably be able to sustain this goal longer!
Do More Acts of Kindness
Kindness will never go out of style no matter what year it is. Many of us tend to get caught in our own lives and can become highly focused on what we want and what we are going. While it’s important to be self-aware, this next year make it a point to do more acts of kindness. These can be anything and don’t have to always be extravagant. An act of kindness can be something as simple as sharing a genuine compliment to a coworker or even holding the elevator door open for the person behind you. Many people equate acts of kindness to buying someone’s lunch or gift-giving, but they don’t always have to be surrounded by money. Kindness is always free and can go farther than any amount of money! This kindness also applies to yourself. Be kind to yourself and others this next year; you may be surprised to see just how far it can go!
Travel Somewhere You’ve Never Gone
A lot of us say that we want to travel more in the new year, especially given the past year we’ve had. Travel somewhere that you’ve never been this year! Open yourself up to new experiences, foods, and cultures that you’ve never experienced before. Put yourself in a new environment, and step out of your comfort zone, safely of course! Traveling gives you so many life lessons and teaches you a ton about yourself. You may find that you’ve learned more about yourself when you’re traveling than any other time. If you’re not one to travel by yourself, get a friend to join you! Find a place that neither of you have been before, and make it a priority that you go there.
Many people view traveling to be expensive, but it can actually be pretty affordable if you do it right. Keep an eye on flight prices or use apps like Hopper to compare rates to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Share a bag so it eliminates checked bag costs and other airline fees. Airbnb or other home hosting applications can be much cheaper than hotel costs and often come with a full kitchen so you don’t have to eat out for every meal. Many travel destinations are offering special deals and promotions to try and get travelers back too!
Get Off Your Phone
We’re all guilty of this, but a resolution that we’re all trying to implement this year is to get off our phones and become more present in the moment! It’s become a habit for us to whip out our phones and try and capture specific moments whenever we’re out with friends or in a new place, and while that is fine, don’t let it consume you. It’s great to document memories and have them to look back at, but too many times we’re way too worried about getting the right shot that we forget to actually enjoy where we are and who we’re with.
Being on your phone too much can also create unhealthy boundaries with work and other relationships, especially when we’re spending so much time at home. Take a break, and separate yourself from these things and be present with the person that you’re with. Even doing something as simple as placing your phone on “do not disturb” or silent, can help you not get distracted by incoming notifications. Social media and cell phones are incredible, and we love them, but it’s also important to understand that they’re not everything.
Set Time Aside For Appointments
We live in a world that is full of distractions and responsibilities. While some of these are unavoidable, we can make the resolution to decide to manage our time better. This can be specifically related to appointments. Many times, mostly with work or school, it’s hard to get to the dentist, doctor, or other health related appointments, especially if these offices have specific business hours. Instead of pushing them to the side, make time this year. Take an extra long lunch and go to the dentist to get your routine cleanings. It’s okay to say no to things that take up your time and it’s important to maintain your health, especially your oral health. Smiles by Dr. Santos understands that you live a busy life, which is why we do our best to accommodate your schedule and get you in on your time! Connect with us today to find a time that works for you.
Be Mindful of What You Consume
This can also be directly related to health and fitness, but it’s also important that you be mindful of what you are consuming but specifically in regards to your dental health. We all know that there are certain foods that are better and worse for your teeth, but most of the time you’re probably not thinking about that when you reach for your next meal or snack. Try this year to be more mindful of the foods and drinks you are consuming. This might mean trading out sodas for sparkling water, or carrying a reusable water bottle with you so that you can keep yourself hydrated and your mouth healthy. Some foods also help produce more saliva, which is something that your body uses to help keep your mouth clean. Try and avoid sugary and chewy foods. Make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice a day to eliminate starches from turning into sugar on your teeth.
Prioritize Yourself with Dental Care
It’s easy to get wrapped up in things. Whether these aspects of your life be work, a relationship, or just the normal daily routine you have, make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. Self care is far more than just lighting a candle and taking a bubble bath. While those are great things, self care can be difficult. Sometime it means that you should schedule that dental procedure that you’ve been dreading or setting aside time to speak with your dentist about a current tooth issue. Whatever it is, we’re here to help! Our dentists are all understanding of the fact that dentistry can be scary. We give you the most comfortable environment and even have various tools and techniques to help your procedure be painless and more comfortable.
Prioritizing yourself through dental care is another way to say self care, and sometimes self care can be overwhelming. Like we said, it’s not always putting on some skincare, lighting a candle, and ordering pizza in. If you’re needing to put your dental care first this year, connect with Smiles by Dr. Santos. We offer a wide range of dental services and are practiced to work with both adults and children.
No matter what your goals are for the next year, schedule your next dental appointment with us! Visit us online or call us directly to set up your next dental appointment. From all of us here, we wish you a safe and happy new year. Here’s to 2021! We can’t wait to see what the new year brings!