It’s time once again for all those New Year’s resolutions that will be gone by February. But they needn’t be all or nothing. Part of forming or increasing good habits is making incremental change. Here are a few suggestions that you can implement this winter to get the new year off to the right start, courtesy of Christina Burns, spa director at the Emerson Resort & Spa in Mount Tremper, a wellness trove nestled in the Catskill Mountains:
Focus on proper sleep – “Getting good sleep has emerged as a top trend for 2024 travel,” Burns said. Whether you’re visiting a resort like Emerson or hunkering down at home during the Northern Hemisphere’s longer nights, make good shuteye a priority for bolstering your immune system and energy, which will also make you less likely to reach for junk food.
Practice mindful eating – Dieting and the new class of diet drugs seem to be on everyone’s lips these days – witness Oprah Winfrey’s latest weight loss — but particularly as we head into the new year. “While it is important to practice enjoying treats in moderation, we can also embrace the season’s bounty by incorporating fruits and vegetables like apples, pumpkins and squash into our meals,” Burns said, noting that the Emerson’s Spa Bites Menu offers choices that balance fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and proteins to help you maintain a nutritious diet.
Don’t let winter cancel your outdoor workouts – There are many benefits to running toward, rather than away from, the great outdoors in the wintry months, Burns said. Begin or end your day with a walk or a bike ride. (Even some shoveling or mid-winter yard work, like clearing brush or leaves, will help you get in touch with nature and work up a sweat, though it’s best to check with your doctor and the weather service before plunging into an outdoor routine.)
Take part in a “digital detox” – No matter how ubiquitous “digital detoxing” is, most of us don’t take enough time away from our devices. “Challenge yourself to cut your screen time in half for a week,” Burns said. “Phone cleansing tips to achieve this goal include putting your phone on “do not disturb,” charging your phone on the other side of the room, leaving your phone behind while eating and having at least one social media-free day.”
Recharge with a planned mental-health day – We take on extra work and rush around to enjoy the holidays and then grow anxious or depressed as the vast desert that is the January catch-up looms. “Planning a mental-health day into your schedule, or even just a limited time away from your usual responsibilities, can help reduce feelings of burnout, increase productivity, develop boundaries and improve morale,” Burns said.
Photographs courtesy the Emerson Resort & Spa.
Invest in yourself and others – Plan a vacation or a weekend getaway to help break up the winter. Get involved with a local nonprofit or take advantage of the Jan. 16 tax deadline to donate to a favorite charity. Doing good for others releases the brain’s “feel good” chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin.
Prioritize fun that stretches you – “Adventure is an essential part of life,” Burns said. “By breaking out of your normal routine, you not only expand your mind, build up your bravery and learn life lessons, but you also fire up the same regions of the brain that are activated when getting a reward.” Think of trying a new sport, learning a new language or studying a musical instrument for starters.
Be kind to your mind, body and soul – To head into 2024 refreshed, it is important to take care of our whole selves, Burns said: “As the days get colder, be sure to take care of yourself mentally and physically by practicing mindfulness and self-compassion. If we aren’t kind to ourselves, we can’t fully be kind to others.”
Exercise your “social fitness” in 2024 – “A new year provides the opportunity for a new way of life,” Burns added. “We often hear that success, happiness and achievement come from careers, but avoiding social connection to ‘get stuff done’ can often have the opposite effect. Working too hard can increase stress, depression and burnout, while taking breaks in the workplace and reaching out to family and friends can go a long way. “Social fitness is when we are honest with ourselves about where we are devoting our time and making sure we tend to the connections that will help us thrive in the new year and beyond.”
Christina Burns is spa director at the Emerson Resort & Spa in Mount Tremper, New York, where wellness is a holistic experience. The resort’s activities include guided nature walks; workshops like “Build Your Own Kaleidoscope”; hiking, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at nearby Belleayre Mountain; and the spa’s “Chakra Renewal” experience, which uses tarot card reading, a crystal reiki session and more to expand the mind. To encourage self-care in 2024, Emerson has added a 20% room rate discount for all booking packages and a 30% discount to extend your weekend stay a little longer.
