Personally, this January I’m craving routines that hold me—not challenge me. Meals that warm me. Workouts that energize me. And self-care that actually feels like care, not another thing to manage.

Forget Resolutions, Embrace Reset

Every January, there’s this familiar pressure to overhaul—to clean everything up, power through and muscle our way into a “better” version of ourselves. And honestly, that’s usually how I approach a new year too.

Only… what if we didn’t?

What if this year, January wasn’t about fixing ourselves at all? What if it was about listening—really listening—to what our bodies are asking for instead of automatically pushing past it? And providing that support.

And to be clear—if pushing forward truly feels good in your body right now, go all in! There is no one right way to move into a new year.

But for me, this year feels different.

Instead of feeling energized by the push, I feel my body asking for softness. For warmth. For nourishing, comforting meals. For movement that gives me energy instead of zapping it. For routines that hold me, rather than push me past fatigue. And instead of fighting that instinct (which I sometimes do), I’ve decided to listen.

For me, the start of THIS new year isn’t meant for overhauls. It’s meant for holding.

And it turns out, I’m not alone. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had multiple clients and friends tell me the same thing—they’re tired, overwhelmed and craving comfort. If you’re feeling called to slow down this January instead of powering through it, consider this your permission slip.

This isn’t about throwing healthy habits out the window, skipping movement entirely or living on ice cream for dinner (though no shame if there’s ice cream involved post-dinner). This is about honoring what your body is truly craving—and finding nourishing, supportive ways to meet those needs without guilt or extremes.

So this month, we’re talking about how to maintain—and even build—healthy habits in ways that feel supportive instead of depleting. Below are a few gentle ideas to help you ease into the new year in a way that works with your body, not against it.

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GENTLE JANUARY SUPPORT

1. Eat for Warmth, Stability and Comfort

Winter bodies crave warmth for a reason—it’s grounding and calming for the nervous system.

Think:

• soups, stews, chili, curries
  
• roasted vegetables (all kinds!), fiber-rich fruits (berries, apples), vitamin C-rich fruit (citrus)
  
• oatmeal, rice or quinoa bowls, lentils, beans
  
• slow-cooked proteins like chicken, eggs, fish, tofu
  

Warm meals help stabilize blood sugar and signal safety to the body—both key for energy, mood and metabolism this time of year.

And yes, tea counts. Herbal teas, chai, ginger, cinnamon and peppermint can feel deeply regulating without requiring effort.

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2. Nourish Your Nervous System (It’s Not Just About Calories)

Nutrition isn’t only about macros—it’s about support, especially in winter when days are shorter, temps are colder and stress quickly accumulates. All of this quietly increases the body’s need for steadiness and gentle support. When the nervous system feels taxed, energy, mood, digestion and even metabolism can feel… off.

A few simple focuses:

• Protein at meals for steadier energy
  
• Fiber (from veggies, beans, oats, seeds) to support digestion and hormones
  
• Minerals (from magnesium-rich foods, leafy greens, nuts, seeds) to support the immune system and a depleted nervous system
  

If supplements are part of your routine, winter can be a good time to ensure adequate vitamin D, magnesium, liposomal vitamin C or omega-3s—but always personalize what makes sense for you.

(Next week, I’ll be diving deeper into the specific nutrients and supplements that can be especially supportive for the nervous system and metabolism during winter. So, stay tuned!)

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3. Move in Ways That Give Energy Back

Movement does not have to need intensity to be effective.

January might be a season for:

• walking
  
• gentle strength training
  
• yoga, pilates or mobility work
  
• shorter workouts that leave you energized, not wiped out
  

A good rule of thumb: If movement drains you for the rest of the day, it may be too much right now.

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4. Build Nervous System Pauses into the Day

Shorter days, less light and more stress can tax the nervous system.

Try:

• 5 minutes of morning light when possible
  
• deep breathing before meals
  
• stretching before bed
  
• stepping outside during the day—even briefly
  

These small pauses help signal safety, which directly supports metabolism, digestion, sleep and mood.

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5. Let Yourself Feel What You’re Feeling

This one matters.

January can stir up emotions—fatigue, grief, longing, hope, frustration. None of it needs fixing. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is let yourself feel without immediately trying to “optimize” it.

Cozy up. Call a friend. Sit with your tea. Rest without earning it.

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THE BOTTOM LINE

January does not have to be a time to overhaul your body or prove your discipline. It can be a season for support, steadiness and replenishment—especially for those whose nervous systems are already stretched thin.Winter nourishment isn’t backsliding. It’s preparation for shining the rest of the year.

*EXCITING NEWS! I’ll be starting a podcast called Elegantly Unhinged this January to dive into ALL OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE! You’ll be able to find me at Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. So stay tuned!