The New Year is almost here! Many of us have simply given up the traditional idea of resolutions, frustrated by the pattern of forgetting the fantastic goals we created by mid-January.

We want to encourage you to create small, attainable resolutions in areas that will affect your whole person. If we consider issues related to our well-being, then reaching related goals will not only create a sense of accomplishment and encouragement to continue, but also affect the very groundwork that every other area is built upon. If we're not feeling well, we're not going to function well. Period. Dr. Plotkin has created a list of ten goals below that we feel are very important to your well-being. Adopt as many of these resolutions as you feel it's truly possible to keep up with. Try picking just one to three (although they're ALL important) and really zero in on them.

We challenge you to take a moment and truly think about what changes would make these goals possible, and then break them down into even simpler, tangible steps so that your chances of success are great! Would it help to place reminders around the house or set alarms on your phone? Do what it takes to make these goals attainable and then get ready for your healthiest year yet!

We're always here for you and ready to serve in any way we can.

Dr. Plotkin's Resolutions for 2012 - Being PRO-Active in Choosing Health

1. Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food (Hippocrates, 450 B.C). Conventional medicine often reactively prescribes drugs for symptoms which have their origin in nutritional deficiency. Fresh, organic, and non-processed food is best, nutritionally. Meals created and shared at home are even better.
2. Adequate, Restful Sleep. Sleep reduces stress-induced free radicals, lipid peroxidation products which lead to chronic diseases. At least 7-8 hours of sleep on a regular basis enhances the healing process.
3. Exercise on a regular and common-sense basis - enough, but not to an excess. Try starting at 20-30 minutes 3-5 times per week and mixing up your types of exercise. Monitor weight, and muscle mass vs. fat mass.
4. Avoid/stop any tobacco exposure to self and those you care about. Tobacco is a known major disease instigator. Be aware that both second-hand and third-hand exposure (smoke that clings to surfaces like clothes and walls) are very harmful as well. It only takes 20 minutes to initiate sensitive tissue damage, especially in children.
5. Be "present". The spirit and mind are health determiners. Meaning-full kindness amazes in all ways.
6. Drink healthful water. Be "clean water educated" and follow through with a plan. (Click here for info on our recommended water systems.) No soda pop or sugary beverages.
7. Seek out health care that has an End-Goal, and is respectful of your body. Prioritize away from "microwave"/quick-fix/convenience health care. You're worth it.
8. Avoid negative lifestyle practices like excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and avoiding injury-prone activities.
9. Seek out healthy relationships. Eliminate or turn away from toxic relationships, don't internalize negative emotions - find a healthy way to share or process them, and avoid negativity or negative people.
10. Start and end your day in conscious thankfulness. We all have something to be thankful for. No exceptions.

Again, Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Martin Plotkin, MD, MD(H)  and the Wellness Concepts Staff