The team here at Thessalon Dental would like to wish a Happy New Year 2022 to all our patients, their friends and families!
The last couple years certainly have been challenging with the pandemic overshadowing almost everything we do (as people, and as health professionals). However, following the appropriate guidance from Ontario Public Health, and our regulators, we were able to safely provide quality dental care services to our clients for almost all of 2021. So that was a success!
But what about 2022, beyond the pandemic… Life does and MUST go on. How can we get the most out of 2022.
Here are 5 tips for getting the most out of 2022!
#5 - Reflect
One of the most powerful and effective things you can do, is sit down in a quiet place, put pen to paper and reflect upon 2021. What went well? What worked out well? What could you have improved upon? What goals did you set that you accomplished? What goes need to be delegated to 2022? And perhaps most importantly, what goals, tasks, obligations no longer serve you and/or the needs of your family?
#4 - Digital Diet
It isn’t without a sense of irony that I suggest to you cutting back on your screen time as you read this blog post on a digital screen! But as a society, we spend far too much time needlessly (and often senselessly) scrolling on our devices. If you need to use a screen, use it purposefully. If you have time for distraction or an indulgence, set a timer to go off when it is time to get back to your real life! Apps are designed to steal your attention and keep it. Don’t let them distract you or suck you in needlessly.
#3 - Sleep
There is perhaps nothing more important than getting enough quality sleep each and every night. Research is showing more and more just how important our sleep is to our health. Enough sleep is required for proper immune system function (can we say PANDEMIC). Our brain health and function is directly linked to quality sleep.
#2 - Nutrition
While sleep is so important, nutrition is nearly so. What we eat literally becomes us. The food we consume is broken down and used by our body for energy, but also for building blocks to make our blood, skin, bones, hair, proteins, etc.
So much of what is available in the grocery store isn’t healthy for us. While I cannot offer specific nutrition advice, a general rule of thumb is that the closer something you eat is to coming out of the ground, off of a tree, or cut out of an animal, the healthier it will be. The more it is processed, the less likely it is to be healthy for you.
#1 - Plan
A mentor of mine once said, “Randomness leads to mediocrity.” Are you living the life of your dreams, or or are you living on autopilot? One leads to fulfilment, the other… not so much.
Planning is a vital key and strategy to success and fulfilment in life. Plan your day, week, month, year, and decade. Plan what you want to achieve. Plan how you will reward yourself for the toils of the day, week, month, year, etc. Plan your shopping list to have healthy meal choices in the home. Plan for financial success and retirement. Plan for healthy activities to improve your health. Plan for family social activities. Plan to live a life you ultimately want to live.