Tips to Head Off the Holiday Slump & Head into a Healthy New Year

If it's been a while since your last medical checkup, consider making an appointment in 2025.

"Any time is a great time to establish care with a primary care physician," says Dr. Liana Kobayashi, a Hawaii Pacific Health Medical Group family medicine physician at the Waipahu High School Academic Health Center. "It's always a good idea to have a primary care physician who knows you and your health history as well."

For those who may not have a primary care physician, Kobayashi and her colleagues at Waipahu Academic Health Center are accepting new patients. They treat folks of all ages – from newborns to the elderly – and offer prenatal and gynecological care, as well as osteopathic manipulative treatment.

In addition to her duties as a doctor, Kobayashi also mentors and teaches students enrolled in Waipahu High's Academy of Health and Sciences. This unique partnership between the state Department of Education and Hawaii Pacific Health allows her to share her passion for the medical field with the next generation of caregivers.

"Patients love being an active part of the students' education," she adds. "Several patients have specifically chosen to come here for care so they can be part of training future health care workers. Many tell us they wish they had this kind of opportunity when they were students."

Here, she shares some health tips to help you make the most of this season of joy.
 

Many (holiday) treats and party dishes are not the healthiest. If you are going to a potluck, try bringing a healthier choice. Another tip is to take time to talk story and catch up with people before returning for seconds. This allows your body's satiation cues to catch up, so you feel more full. And, of course, talk with your primary care physician about any specific health concerns.

Try not to overdo it! It can be challenging because we have more social invitations, goodies to snack on and special holiday events to enjoy, as well as pressing work deadlines before the year winds down. Knowing this ahead of time can help us remember to pace ourselves and not overload our plates – literally and figuratively.

Lack of sleep can make it easier to feel overwhelmed by everything. So even during this busy time of the year, it's important to keep good sleep habits. When we're well-rested, we are more present and alert for those special times with family and friends. More sleep can also boost our willpower if we're trying to refrain from too many holiday goodies.

A lot of people view the new year as a new beginning, a time to begin a wellness journey or start (or restart) healthy habits. If that's you, great! If, however, the timing is too much pressure or you have a habit of not keeping new year resolutions, consider waiting a few weeks. Any day is a good day to start a new goal. And if you have a small setback, take a moment to reflect, then try again.

It's difficult to pick just one thing. Forming meaningful, lasting relationships with people to partner in their care and well-being so they can work toward their health goals is really fulfilling.

Call our clinic at 808-835-6244 to talk with one of our staff members about new appointments.

This article was first featured in the Dec. 25, 2024, issue of MidWeek as a part of the “Dr. in the House” series. See the full publication.

Published on: December 26, 2024