January is all about fresh beginnings, renewed commitments, and resolutions to live the life we desire. Having just come through the hustle of the holidays, I often feel like I need a break in January, but instead life tends to pick up speed. Like many others, I often correlate my value with my productivity and expect myself to be endlessly moving, living life as a contribution, running faster and harder.

But what if I’ve had it wrong? What if the greatest gift I could give this year is being kind to myself? I’ve been exploring the idea of loving myself to great health. As this month rolled in, I know that healthy choices, like eating 5-6 small meals a day, drinking adequate water, moving my body, getting good sleep, and balancing my protein and carbohydrates are foundations to good health and effectiveness in my life. These are the habits by which I live and teach. These are known to reduce inflammation, optimize weight, and allow for clear brain function. Science is proving these choices produce clarity and health. But there is growing evidence that the inner-world of our thoughts, perspectives and expectations is just as influential in causing or decreasing inflammation and health. This year, for me, there is a gentle whisper of inner commitments that seem pivotal.

My resolution this year is to treat myself as kindly as I treat others. Does this resonate with you? How would you do this in your life?

In my life this means planning self-care in my day: Taking food with me. Nourishing myself mindfully. Allowing myself to slow down in my day. Moving into a restorative-yoga pose for 15 minutes mid-day. Getting up from my work every hour to move and feel gratitude. Surrounding myself with beauty and inspiration. Giving grace to myself about the pace I expect. Not beating myself up for the places I can do better. Choosing language that builds up rather than puts myself down.

The author Louise Hay states, “Anything you say or think is an affirmation. Really be aware of your thoughts and your words; you might discover that a lot of them are very negative. Many people tend to approach life through negative eyes. They take an ordinary situation like a rainy day and say something like, ‘Oh, what a terrible day.’ It isn’t a terrible day. It’s a wet day. To create a wonderful day sometimes takes just a slight change in the way you look at it. Be willing to let go of an old, negative way that you look at something, and look at it in a new, positive way.”

So as you start 2015, how will you treat yourself? How will you re-frame the way you speak to yourself? Perhaps the most important gift you could give the world is giving love first to yourself. Are you ready to join me?

Dr. Brossfield is the Director of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute and can be reached at (760) 610.7360 or [email protected].