Doctors discuss how to make safe, healthy New Year’s resolutions as pandemic continues

A typical New Year’s resolution might be eating better, getting more exercise or quitting a bad habit.But after KOCO 5 spoke with local doctors, they said people looking to make a lifestyle change need to keep something in mind.“The first need from a medical standpoint: We need you not to become our patient. We’re really struggling at the hospitals,” Dr. Rachel Franklin said. “If you have a bad habit that you know is leading to your chronic health condition getting worse, do something that will help keep you out of the hospital. Let us get through this pandemic.”And doctors said we don’t need to go all out.“We need to realize that our bodies aren’t what they were last New Year’s,” Dr. Eliza Chakravarty said.“Cover yourself in grace, recognize that getting good sleep, getting healthy food in your body and getting some movement are probably the best things you can do to promote your own health,” Franklin added. “If all you did this year was do one better thing with your diet, one better thing with moving daily and one better thing towards better sleep, you would not only help to reduce your risks during the pandemic but just your chronic health in general.”“I think we need to temper ourselves with that this year and make goals that are reasonable and achievable because nothing is really more deflating or demoralizing than failing at a resolution,” Chakravarty said.They also said people need to remember that we’re all in this together.“Communities that are heavily connected to one another are actually healthier communities,” Franklin said.