2025 – Reflections and Intentions

By Susan Tanner M.D.

I hope your 2025 is off to a fantastic start and filled with good health! The chilly weather here in Georgia has many of us staying cozy indoors, giving us a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on the year ahead. I’m planning to enter this year intentionally and joyfully—what about you?

Looking back on 2024, it was a year of adventure and learning. I traveled to some incredible places—Hawaii, Alaska, and the Galápagos Islands (pictured above)—and deepened my knowledge in areas like chronic illness, post-COVID syndromes, and integrative mental health. Attending conferences on these topics was both inspiring and eye-opening. I’m excited to share some insights and practical strategies I’ve gained in future newsletters.

When starting the new year, I don’t focus on traditional “resolutions.” Instead, I like to create intentional plans for small but meaningful changes in areas like diet, exercise, sleep, mental wellness, and attitude. Many of my patients are trying a “dry January,” giving up alcohol for the month to reset and build healthier habits. Even if that’s not your thing, choosing one small commitment—like writing in a gratitude journal, performing a daily act of kindness, or simply moving your body every day—can create lasting health benefits and set a positive tone for the year.

If you’re looking for a guided reset, you might enjoy my 4-week “Detox Your Body” program, still available on the Fullscript platform. Breaking patterns and replacing habits that no longer serve you can be a powerful way to start fresh.

For those who enjoy reading, here are a few standout books I’ve recently finished and recommend:

• Brain Energy by Christopher Palmer, MD – A fascinating perspective on mental illness from a Harvard psychiatry professor.
• Demystifying PAN/PANDAS by Nancy O’Hara – A comprehensive guide to recognizing, understanding, and treating these complex pediatric disorders.
• Toxic by Neil Nathan – A book of hope and guidance about healing from chronic toxicity, Lyme disease, and environmental illness.
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD – A powerful book on trauma and healing through the brain, mind, and body.
• Turning Inward by Ross Rayburn – A fresh approach to meditation and mindfulness.
• The 10-Day Alcohol Detox Plan by Lewis David – A practical guide for anyone looking to reset their relationship with alcohol.
• Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means – How to improve metabolic health to prevent chronic disease and improve overall well-being.
• Let Them by Mel Robbins – A mindset tool that encourages people to stop trying to control others and instead focus on themselves.

I’d love to hear from you—are there any topics you’d like me to cover in upcoming newsletters? Email me and let me know!

Here’s to a healthy, curious, and intentional 2025. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to support your journey to well-being.