New Year’s Resolutions
by DR. SCOTT ALLEN with Sarori Health and Wellness
Nearly 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians were the first people to record a “New Year’s resolution.” Instead of January, their celebration was held in March-- the beginning of the planting season. They renewed promises to their king and their gods, with the hope that they would be blessed with a bountiful harvest. They cast their individual wants aside and aligned in a 12-day festival.
Millenia later, in a display of hubris befitting the emperor of the known world, Julius Caesar realigned the calendar into our current Roman calendar. In so doing, he named the first month after Janus, the double-faced god of gates and doors. Janus held the key between what was and what is to come, simultaneously reflecting on the past and presiding over all beginnings.
The ancient New Year traditions had elements of community, shared experience–and altered states of consciousness. The methods of achieving non-ordinary states varied depending on the region. Some societies utilized alcohol and plant medicines such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ergot (an early precursor to LSD). When no medicines were available, groups would engage in prolonged fasting and breathwork to achieve a transcendent state. The end effect, though, was the same– to share a sense of spirituality with your community
Today, the tradition of New Year’s resolutions has morphed into a mostly secular ritual of self-improvement, usually focused on physical well-being. Forty-five percent of us make resolutions, but only eight percent of us follow through.
This isn’t a failure of human discipline, and it’s a failure of the modern resolution ritual. When given the means to complete a task, humans are generally competent. If your resolution is to exercise more, lose weight, stop an unpleasant habit, or otherwise make a big change-- resolutions for which we are poorly-equipped to execute-- chances are you’re doomed to fail.
But I have some good news: as your friendly community physician, I’m here to tell you you’re already doing ok. If you’re reading this magazine and live in Utah, you’re likely in the top 25% of physical and social health. Here’s a few facts:
You only need 4000 steps per day for optimum heart health. You don’t need to run marathons, but you need to move your body.
A handful of fruits and vegetables daily provides all the fiber, vitamins and minerals you need. Expensive supplements usually end up as expensive urine.
You can eat carbohydrates and lead a fulfilling life. In fact, if you like bread, eat bread.
Your body can handle a few alcoholic drinks per week. Also, if you drink, you’re more likely to have a meaningful social life (and if you don’t drink, you’re likely to live longer, which is pretty awesome).
Eat sugar in moderation. Sugar is amazing and brings joy, so why would you deprive yourself the occasional burst of joy?
Your physical appearance is fantastic. Studies are emerging that heightened focus on body image is leading to increased depression and anxiety. You don’t need botox to be beautiful.
This January, I’m encouraging my patients to take a lesson from the Book of Janus. Reflect on the past year. Celebrate your successes. Assess your failure). Like Janus, face the future and take action. Trust yourself to move your life in a direction full of purpose and meaning.
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The best way to do this is to become engaged in a cause outside of yourself. Focus on improving the lives of those around you. For true happiness, the challenge of the activity has to match your capabilities. If you align yourself with a worthwhile, engaging endeavor, one that alleviates the suffering of others, you’ll fall into a natural rhythm of satisfaction. By making the success of others your success, you align your mind with the minds of others. Our brains like to be aligned with other brains.
This is the core of the concept of ‘flow.’ Flow occurs when our abilities match the demands of an endeavor. Some people have found that mind-expanding plant medicines or ketamine can enhance the ability to enter flow states.
For best results, place your attention on an activity with which you already have some proficiency. It could be an artistic pursuit like music or writing. Or it could be your profession. Take what you have already developed, find someone who needs what you have to offer, and give it to them with all your energy. When that alignment occurs, time stands still as you become lost in the moment.
So this New Year, spend some time in contemplation of the past. Find gratitude for where you’ve been. Acknowledge your strengths. And ready yourself for action.