Posts

We’re into the new year now. Many of us probably have reflected on the past year, and maybe have created a list of New Year’s resolutions. It’s a new year and the time to start a new you. It sounds like a great idea, but is that the best mindset to start the year?

Most likely, we want to start fresh when we’re not satisfied with ourselves in the last year. We didn’t go to the gym as often as we planned, or we didn’t get that promotion we had hoped for. However, that doesn’t mean we didn’t work hard or achieve any of our goals throughout the year! So, why should we ignore and discredit all our accomplishments and who we were over the past year whenever New Year comes around?

How Should We Feel About a New Year Fresh Start?

We don’t always have to “start fresh” or become a new us when we ring in the new year. The desire to grow and improve ourselves is an admirable mindset and should really be encouraged, but we shouldn’t have to be so hard on ourselves when we do it. Nor should we create a list of New Year’s resolutions of things we don’t really care for or enjoy. If reading books is not something you enjoy, find another way to keep your mind creative. Or if going to the gym is not your thing, that’s okay – find another activity to stay active. Creating goals and strategies to succeed is a good idea, but that doesn’t mean we have to change everything about ourselves, nor does it always have to begin in the new year.

Reflect on Accomplishments and Be Kind to Yourself

This New Year, I encourage you to be kind to yourself – reflect on the accomplishments you’ve achieved and create new goals from there. Set goals that don’t need to be reached within the first few months of the year, but ones where you can continue to grow throughout this year and years to come. I worked at a mental health clinic for five years and learned that we need to meet people, including ourselves where we’re at and progress from there. It’s not necessary to change everything about yourself. That’s what makes you individually you!

Whether you are a Baby Yoda fan or not, 2019 had its moments (good and bad). Let’s all take a big old exhale and head into a new decade ready to charge forward. Here are 5 ways to leave 2019 feeling inspired.

1.     Take stock of what went well

This could mean on a personal level, or societal level. Are there any movements that inspired you or any moments where you did something out of your comfort zone? Go forth and take that badassery into the new year.

2.    Get in touch with your values.

Now is a great time to take a pause and evaluate what is important to you. Have the choices you’ve made this year brought you closer to those values or further away? Get out a pen and paper, write your values in one column and some action goals in the other. For example: If you wish you spent more time with friends this year, a goal would be to plan a social event each month.

3. Harness your do-gooder self.

Get involved in something you care about. This could be something as simple as remembering your reusable bags or a bigger commitment like volunteering at an animal shelter.

4. Read some good non-fiction

This could be a good self-help book or autobiography. Pick a book about someone who was a change maker. If you don’t leave inspired at least you will leave informed.

5. Try something new

Routine is great. Personally, I see nothing wrong with watching the same episode of the office 50 times (Dinner Party, it never gets old!) but trying something new can really get your blood pumping. Maybe this is an athletic pursuit like rock climbing, or something entertaining like seeing a live comedy show.

The best thing about ending the year inspired is starting the new year the same way. Keep that momentum going and make this your best year yet.

Want to start living your healthiest life? Take our free assessment to get personalized vitamin recommendations based on your health, diet, lifestyle, and prescription medications. Start your new healthy habit with your custom supplement recommendations.

Even though that little bowl of candy by the door is awaiting trick or treaters, I would swear I hear it calling my name all day long! December is a difficult time for all of us that are trying to avoid sweet treats. It can be especially hard for my patients trying to avoid the diagnosis of diabetes by controlling their diet, cutting carbs and sweets in order to keep their blood sugar low. While the candy dish might be off limits, some of my patients do not know that dietary supplements can impact their blood sugar, and perhaps in a beneficial way. 

Approximately 1 in 3 Americans are currently living with prediabetes, meaning that their blood sugar is higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetic. The good news for these patients is that with lifestyle changesthe diagnosis of diabetes can be delayed or even prevented.¹Lifestyle changes that promote a healthy blood sugar include eating healthy foods like vegetablesand whole grains, increasing physical activityto include most days of the week, and losing any excess weight.² In addition to these changes, some prediabetic patients might also use dietary supplements to meet their health goals. 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes several supplements are currently being studied for their impact of blood sugar levels and the complications of diabetes, like neuropathy.³ Some supplements have shown promise in supporting the way the body processes glucose. In addition to glucose support, these supplements might help reduce sugar cravings and maintain a healthy weight, both of which are essential in preventing disease progression for prediabetics. 

1. Alpha-lipoic acid– studies indicate alpha-lipoic acid may be helpful in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy^4,7
2. Chromium– studies indicate that chromium may be helpful in improving blood sugar control by helping the body process glucose^5,7
3. Gymnema sylvestre– studies indicate that gymnema sylvestre may be helpful in improving blood sugar control and reducing sweet cravings^6,7

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, some patients do develop diabetesand require medication to manage their blood sugar and other health effects of the disease. Starting a medication regimen to regulate blood sugar does not mean they should abandon the lifestyle changes they have already implemented. Diet and exercise are still beneficial in patients with diabetes, and they might even be able to continue their supplements. A healthcare provider can evaluate a medication and supplement regimen and make sure there are not drug-nutrient interactions that could result in side effects, in this case dangerously low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.^3,7In addition to your healthcare provider, Persona’s online assessment cross references their supplements with more than 2000 prescription medications, including medications commonly used to manage diabetes, and evaluates these combinations for drug-nutrient interactions. 

Medications and supplements can work in harmony to help meet your health and wellness goals so long as drug-nutrient interactions are identified and managed appropriately. Visit personanutrition.comand take the assessmentto find out which supplements may be right for you.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.

References 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.htmlAccessed 10/25/2019
2. The Mayo Clinic. Prediabetes: diagnosis and treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355278Accessed 10/25/2019
3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Diabetes and Dietary Supplements. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/diabetes/supplementsAccessed 10/25/2019
4. Singh U, Jialal I: Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and diabetes. Nutrition Reviews.2008;66:646–657
5. Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Yuwanakorn A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2014;39(3):292-306.
6. Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, Shanmugasundaram ER. Antidiabetic effect of leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:295-300.
7. Birdee GS, Yeh G. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Diabetes: A Clinical Review. Clinical Diabetes2010 Oct;28(4): 147-155.