Sinking into 2026 ...

Happy (belated) New Year! And here’s to blue skies all the way for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026 for all.

At the turn of the year it's traditional to consider what you'd like to change. Here's a typical list of the most common resolutions:

1. lose weight

2. give up rest time to exercise

3. give up sugar

4. stop worrying

5. give up alcohol

6. cut down on money spent on going out

I have a radical alternative to suggest: why not do nothing?

Here's why.

We are deep in midwinter (though the days are slowly but surely getting longer) and immersed in the time of Kidney energy, the province of the Water element.

Midwinter is a time of storage and rest and darkness; a time of Yin energy. It's not the time to expend Yang energy on physical activities and full-on planning. That stuff is best reserved for spring, when Yang energy makes a reappearance and the time for up-and-at-'em Wood element energy arrives.

So instead of vowing to lose weight etc, here are my suggestions for a gentle introduction to the new year:

1. Eat only warm, slow-cooked food and drink fluids of room temperature or above.

2. Exercise only gently and in a 'Yin' way - so stretching, yoga, Pilates, walking. Concentrate on breathwork, being conscious of your body. Definitely no pounding the streets in the dark and cold.

3. The dark evenings should be spent resting, not working or exercising.

4. Go to bed when you feel tired. At this time of year that can be as early as 9 pm.

5. Low key socialise - a walk with friends or meeting for a meal or evening just a coffee will keep your fire burning as winter inches towards its end.

These are all gifts for you and appropriate to the time of year. Easy, right?

A final thought.

A few years ago I asked a friend what her new year's resolution was. She thought for a moment and then said, 'To have more manicures'.

So when the days are longer, the signs of spring are more visible and you feel it's time to make some plans for the year, remember your aims should nourish and serve you.

That might be getting fit, losing weight etc, or it could just be to have more manicures.

Happy 2026!