It’s been a few weeks since my last Newsletter— Thinking of You Before You Set Any Goals This Year.
It’s easy to forget the questions I posed when they are not front and center:
- Are you stretching yourself in a way that feels healthy?
- Are you focusing on what truly matters to you?
- Are you allowing space for positive expectancy?
Honestly, I forgot about them until I started writing today’s Newsletter! I just posted them on my computer as empowered reminders.
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Today’s newsletter is about three things:
- An unexpected gift Covid gave me,
- A gentle reminder about protecting one another,
- And a moment of joy that comes from watching my beloved mother dance at 99. (Well, she was two weeks shy of her 99th)
I’ve just recovered from Covid. This bout was thankfully milder than my previous two—starting with what felt like nothing more than a runny nose, followed by significant fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. I had to cancel my patient appointments and social engagements for the week and stay home.
What Covid gave me—beyond the illness—was the gift of “forced rest.”
This does not minimize the very real and long-term effects of Covid that many people continue to experience.
In my case, being sick required me to stop. I didn’t leave my home for a week. I went to bed early. I allowed my body to heal.
It made me realize how rarely many of us allow ourselves deep rest unless we are forced into it.(1) (2)
There is a difference between healing from illness and true restorative rest. Deep rest isn’t just sleep—it’s a state where the nervous system can finally downshift, repair, and reset. Research shows that adequate rest and sleep are essential for immune function, emotional regulation, and cognitive health. And still, so many of us push through exhaustion, override early signals, and keep going—until our bodies insist we stop.
My reason for sharing this is simple:
You don’t need to get sick to give yourself permission to pause.
It might be worth gently tuning in and asking:
Do I need rest before my body demands it?
A brief but important reminder as well:
If you’re feeling unwell—even if it seems like a cold or the flu—please consider testing for Covid. I was surprised to test positive with such mild early symptoms. Testing allows us to reduce the spread and protect those around us, especially people who are older or medically vulnerable.
Which brings me to my mother.
This week, she turned 99—and she’s still dancing. A few days before, she was hospitalized with either food poisoning or a virus (It was hard to watch her suffer) and she rallied to celebrate her birthday!
Watching her move with joy, vitality, and presence feels like a living reminder of what truly sustains us over a lifetime: not constant productivity, but connection, movement, rest, and care—both for ourselves and for one another.
Here she is with my Father, who is 96.5, dancing on New Year’s Eve. I have gotten permission from the other people in the video to share it with you.
Dr. Jill’s Mom and Dad Dancing
May this be your gentle reminder to slow down when you can, rest deeply when you need to, and take care of your health in ways that ripple outward.
With warmth and care,
Dr. Jill
References:
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Past Newsletters:
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Disclaimer: Please note that the content on this Newsletter does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a physician before making any medical, nutritional, or lifestyle changes recommended in this Newsletter.