Keep happy and healthy with doable resolutions

We were lucky to get another interview with Santa this year. The "jolly old soul" had some recommendations for promoting good cheer throughout the year and gave them to us as suggested New Year’s resolutions.

Unlike those resolutions that are broken or forgotten in a few days or a few weeks, Santa’s suggestions are resolutions that can help to keep us happy, safe and healthy throughout the year.

Here are Santa’s doable resolutions designed for today’s world.

» Make an effort to do your best daily no matter what the task. No task is too small or too large to do your best. This habit adds richness even to the most mundane tasks. Whether doing household chores or working at a big-time job, knowing you did your best at everything can help you sleep better.

» Do something nice for someone every day. This can be as simple as holding the door for someone or stopping to help a tourist looking a bit lost. Make a short phone call to an older relative who may have outlived many of their generation, just to see how they are and let them know you were thinking about them. The possibilities are endless if you look around. Feel free to mix it up differently every day.

» Ask someone how they are doing or ask about their family. But really listen to what they are saying, the way you would want people to listen to you. Memory improves a lot when you actually listen.

» Wish a great day to your grocery clerk, bank teller, custodian or anyone else who serves you.

» Volunteer at least once during the year. Help a neighbor, the Hawaii Foodbank, the Institute for Human Services, etc. The possibilities are endless.

» Don’t use a cellphone or text anyone while you are driving. If you have to, pull over to a safe place or have a passenger answer for you. To provide inspiration for this, Nissan, NBC and Adam Levine on "The Voice" are promoting "Red Thumb Reminder" to urge drivers to stop texting while driving. Search "red thumb" online and you will find great reasons and motivation to leave the phone alone while driving.

» Don’t use a cellphone while walking in or crossing the street. This often is the cause of pedestrians being struck by cars, and it frustrates and frazzles drivers who nearly hit oblivious pedestrians. And, yes, this also pertains to skateboarders and those on bicycles. Better safe than sorry.

» Recycle cans, bottles and paper. Don’t just throw recyclables in the trash. Be an active part of making our environment better for current and future generations.

» Do not let food-fear terrorists control your food choices. If someone is claiming that a particular food is dangerous or will cure everything that ails you, get the facts before you spread misinformation via email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. Contact University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension agents to get the straight scoop on food, food safety, agriculture and environmental issues.

Santa emphasized that all of these resolutions can promote mental and emotional health that, in turn, enhances physical health. And, of course, he also confirmed the importance of getting all essential nutrients by eating a little of everything and not too much of anything. Add some regular physical activity and you have the formula for a healthy and happy year.

Santa summed it up by saying to "live aloha" and always remember, "Lucky you live Hawaii."

Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., are nutritionists in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dobbs also works with University Health Services.