This is a question that I ask all my patients when we first meet and periodically as we continue to work together. It is a question worth reflecting upon in light of the holiday season (when we can take a step back from a busy work schedule) and upcoming new year (when we decide on resolutions for the year head).

What I find very interesting is that many of us struggle to answer this question. My patients know what it means to be unhealthy. Common responses I hear include “I’m too tired to do anything”, “I’m anxious all the time”, “my hair is falling off”, and “I can’t lose weight”. Yet when I ask them what a healthy life would look like, they still describe what it is like to be unhealthy.

What I have observed in my clinical practice is that those who have a clear idea of what a healthy life looks like to them have better health outcomes and prognosis. They also tend to feel better faster.

Perhaps we can attribute this to the power of intention and the strength of will. For those who are chronically ill and near death’s bed, the will to live can be the difference between life and death. This concept can be applied to living a healthy life, which takes effort.

Consider the amount of work it takes to create a healthy day: 7-8 hours of quality sleep, 30-60 minutes of exercise, 3-5 well-portioned meals spread consistently throughout the day, time for self-care, time with nature, and quality time with loved ones. And this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Being healthy is built on habits and routines, which are challenging to establish and change. Those that have a clear understanding of the goal in mind tend to remain consistent. And we have proverbially been told that consistency is key.

So as we prepare for a new year (and maybe a new “you”), I encourage you to take some time to reflect on what it means to be healthy: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Yes, it all matters. And may this pave the way for a healthy a 2020.