4 New Year’s Resolutions from a Dentist

We’re almost there. It has been quite the year but, we repeat, we’re almost there. As we reflect upon what we’ve been grateful for during an unusual, challenging but still positive and productive last 12 months, we’ve been jotting down resolutions along the way. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be just that, a one-time promise that we make as we shift from one year to the next; resolutions should be ideals that we uphold no matter when we think of them. 2020 has given many of us a lot to think about, to say the least, and we’re hopeful that more good remains to be seen from this unprecedented time period in current history.

Here are our top 4 resolutions as we venture into 2021:

Take Time for Yourself

Remember, it’s okay to take time for yourself and to indulge in self care. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and stressed out; it’s okay to not be in the mood to socialize or to lack the desire to do anything; the most important thing is to take care of you. When you take care of yourself, you’re able to offer more to those around you. So go ahead and book that spa appointment, schedule that facial, take that beach walk, read a book, binge a Netflix series or – wait for it – eat that sugary sweet that’s been calling your name. That’s right, your dentist just told you to please your sweet tooth.

Be Kind

…to yourself, to others, to the world at large. We’ve all faced a unique set of circumstances over the past year and we’ve all experienced life in a way that was previously unbeknownst to us. We recognize that many have endured a lot of loss, while others have had unprecedented successes; that some have struggled through this pandemic alone, while others have had the continued support of family and friends. No matter where you found yourself throughout this unique year, one glaring reality became quite clear: we could all stand to be a little nicer, a little kinder to one another. If we focus on spreading joy and positivity, it’ll be returned in leaps and bounds.

Reflect Upon Your Diet & Physical Health

We know, gyms and other fitness facilities see spikes in membership once January 1st rolls around. When 2021 arrives, we may not have access to these places as in years past. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t evaluate where you stand from a diet and physical health perspective. Introducing small changes into your diet, like: reducing sugars, cutting out soda, adding in more fruits & veggies, and eating healthily in moderation can do wonders for your physical, mental and emotional states. Additionally, adding in extra steps, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and mindful exercises like yoga and meditation can all help to shift the direction of your physical state. Plus, when you make changes to your physical health you may see improvements to your oral health as well – it’s a win-win situation!

Commit to Improving Your Oral Hygiene Routine

You didn’t think we’d write an entire blog post focused on resolutions without mentioning anything about oral hygiene, did you? You have an appointment coming up in a week or two, it’s time to cram in the days, weeks or months worth of flossing you’ve missed. We’re hip to this game and understand it’s a common reality for many, but there’s always time to make a change. As we kick off the new year, make a commitment to maintaining healthy teeth. Try to allocate 4 minutes per day total to brushing your teeth, and add another 4 minutes for flossing twice per day – let’s round up to 10 minutes total on your oral hygiene routine. And guess what? You can STILL dedicate the majority of your day’s time to your family, friends, work, hobbies, Hulu – whatever your passion may be.

What are some changes that you’re hoping to make for yourself or to improve overall quality of life for your family as we head into 2021? Whatever they may be, remember to breathe, not to be so hard on yourself, and to appreciate who and where you are right now.