Physicians share 2023 resolutions

Ankit Dubey, MD, an internal medicine physician at Northbay Health Primary Care in Green Valley, said his goal is to be more consistent with meditation, striving to practice every morning. “It has definitely helped me with multitasking and overcoming difficult, anxious situations.”

He also hopes to spend at least one or two hours a week on a hobby, such as basketball or different forms of exercise.

Frances Benko, DO, a family medicine physician at Northbay Health Primary Care in Vacaville, says 30 minutes of exercise a day, along with a spiritual guided meditation, is high on her list. Her choice of exercise may vary, from walking, running and yoga to weight lifting, just for some variety.

Paarth Shah, MD, an internal medicine physician who works at the Northbay Health Primary Care in Green Valley, said his goal is to exercise for at least 150 minutes every week.

Shanaz Khambatta, DO, the medical director for Northbay Health Primary Care and a family medicine specialist, said her resolution is to be more disciplined about her sleep, making it a priority.

“The body and brain repair itself when we sleep,” she explained. “I notice my mindset and even my metabolism are much stronger when I consistently sleep well and for at least seven hours.”

Larissa Chartrand, MD, an internal medicine specialist who practices at the Northbay Health Primary Care facility in Green Valley, had a simple, one-word answer for her top resolution: mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present. It can be channeled during meditation, in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Or, it can be applied deliberately during everyday interactions with colleagues and – in Dr. Chartrand’s case – patients.