Happy New Year and Happy Wednesday!
Upcoming events:
- Schwartz Center Rounds: 2/3 Noon CC121. More information can be found here: Schwartz Rounds – Home
- Cooper Solution Discounts on local attractions: Entertainment
- Snack box refill: If you drop your snack box off at 101 Haddon Suite 204, I will refill them for you! We just got a new delivery!
If you have an event you want uplifted, please email me at bass-maya@cooperhealth.edu
Helpful Links
- New Link for Discounted daycare: Bright Horizons For Cooper Housestaff
- See attached document for how to access different primary care. Live link coming!
- Cooper GME Wellness Page: https://wellness.cooperhealth.org/gme-wellness/
- Cooper Wellness Page: Compassion & Resiliency Experience (C.A.R.E.) Program
- Cooper’s Community Resources: Cooper Unite
- Cali Courses for Professional Development: http://portal/Departments/CALI/CALI%20Catalog/Forms/AllItems.aspx
Wellness Tip: Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick (One Small Habit at a Time)
As we move into the new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions—often with equal parts motivation and skepticism. One helpful framework comes from Atomic Habits by James Clear, which emphasizes that sustainable change doesn’t come from sweeping transformations, but from small, intentional actions practiced consistently.
A few key action items from Atomic Habits that may help set you up for success this year:
- Focus on systems, not goals: Goals define outcomes, but systems are the daily practices that actually lead to change.
- Start small (very small): Habits should feel almost too easy to fail. Consistency matters more than intensity.
- Make habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying: Small tweaks to your environment and routines can dramatically improve follow-through.
- Plan for obstacles: Having a “backup plan” helps maintain momentum when conditions aren’t ideal.
- Build identity-based habits: Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, focus on who you want to become.
Importantly, just trying something new opens up the opportunity for learning—even if it doesn’t turn into a lifelong habit. Experimentation itself is a success, and each attempt provides useful information about what does (or doesn’t) work for you in this season of life.
To model this, I’ll share my own resolution: I’m aiming to get back to regular meditation to allow me more space between my reaction and actions. My first goal is just 5 minutes a day. If that doesn’t happen, my backup plan is a walking meditation as I walk home from the train each evening. Small, flexible, and realistic.
As always, wellness is not about perfection—it’s about progress, self-compassion, and sustainability. I hope this framework helps you approach the new year with curiosity rather than pressure.
Share your resolutions with me or someone else to be your accountability buddy!
Wishing you a grounded and healthy start to the year,
Warmly,
Maya Bass MD MA FAAFP
(she/her)
Program Director, Cooper/CMSRU Family Medicine Residency Program