New Year’s Resolutions from A Dentist: 2024 Edition
As we reflect upon what we’ve been grateful for as we enter into a new year, we’ve made note of resolutions along the way. New Year’s resolutions, however, 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 they present themselves to us.
Check out our top 4 resolutions as we embrace 2024:
Make yourself a priority
It’s not only okay to take time for yourself and to indulge in self care, it’s absolutely necessary. When you put yourself first, you can be a better version of yourself to those in your life, and even treat your own inner being with the compassion that you deserve. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. You don’t always have to be “on” or be in the mood to socialize. You can say yes to just doing nothing. However, you define self care, the most important thing is to take care of you. So, go ahead and book that massage, schedule that mani/pedi, take that beach walk, read a book, binge a streaming series or – wait for it – eat that sugary sweet that’s been calling your name. That’s right, your dentist just told you to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Be kind
One language that most people can recognize is kindless. You never know what someone is going through on the inside, so remember that a simple act of kindness can go a long way. A smile, holding a door open, allowing a car to enter the roadway, saying hello to a stranger – you never know how large of an impact you may be having on someone’s day. So, be kind…to yourself, to others, to the world at large. We’ve all experienced life in different ways, and we can all do more to express kindness, day in and day out.
Embrace your health
We only have one life to live and many of us are in control of a number of factors that surround the status of our health. 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!
Improve & maintain your oral health care 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 know this is a common reality, 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. The even better news is that you’ll still have the capacity to dedicate the majority of your day’s time to all of the other activities that make you do what we love most: SMILE.
What are some changes that you’re hoping to make for yourself or your family as we head into the new year? Whatever they may be, remember to breathe, embrace gratitude, and to appreciate who and where you are right now in your life. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy entry into 2024!
