ABC’S CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT HELPS RING IN THE NEW YEAR RIGHT WITH A RESOLUTION THAT’S ACTUALLY DOABLE: A YEAR-LONG PLAN TO IMPROVE YOUR EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Dr. Jennifer Ashton didn’t set out to do a year of self-care. In fact, in between being the chief medical correspondent for ABC News, a practicing OB-GYN, and caring for her family and friendships, she would have told you that she didn’t have an extra moment of time for selfcare. But, after a painful year of dealing with the aftermath of her ex-husband’s suicide, she realized she had drastically deprioritized her own wellbeing in the months of emotional turmoil. A relentless self-improver and always keen for a challenge, Dr. Ashton put aside feeling “selfish” for taking care of herself and set out on a Dry January challenge—giving up alcohol for one month after the holiday season. The results were shocking: giving up booze had an enormous impact on her mind, mood, body, and attitude. The experiment reinvigorated Dr. Ashton, and she decided that she didn’t want just one month of selfdiscovery and feel-good benefits—she wanted an entire year!
With THE SELF-CARE SOLUTION, Dr. Ashton upends her life one month at a time using her own experiences to help you improve your health and enhance your life. In the book, she becomes both researcher and subject as she focuses on twelve separate challenges, guides you through the struggles she faces and the benefits she experiences, while also explaining the science behind why each month’s challenge can lead to better health.
- January/Dry Month: This small lifestyle change has abundant benefits including lowering cancer risk, better sleep, clearer skin, weight loss, mood improvement, and a fuller bank account.
February/Push-Ups and Planks: No need for a personal trainer or fancy gym membership. Just a few minutes a day will drastically increase arm, core, and back strength while reducing aches and pains and improving posture. - March/Meditation: The benefits of a few minutes of meditation a day are shocking; it can help you fall asleep at night, be just as effective as antidepressants, control appetite, reduce inflammation, lengthen telomeres—which control aging—and make you more socially confident.
- April/Cardio: Did you know that not incorporating daily cardio activity in your life can be just as bad as smoking? Aerobic exercise can also make you smarter, reduce cancer risk, treat high blood pressure and cholesterol, make you look younger, and improve sleep.
- May/Less Meat, More Plants: Overconsumption of red meat is linked to breast and colon cancer as well as heart disease and diabetes. Plants on the other hand, boost metabolism, skin health, brain function, mood, and can lead to weight loss with minimal effort.
- June/Hydration: Dehydration can be sneaky and even deadly—chronic dehydration is akin to smoking and the risks that go along with it. Proper hydration is the ultimate (and cheapest!) skin serum, prevents UTI’s and kidney stones, and treats oral issues like bad breath and tooth decay.
- July/More Steps: We’ve all heard that “sitting is the new smoking”—and it’s true. Walking for more of your day can help you lose more weight than you think it can, cut cravings and hunger, boost your mood, and increase bone density in ways other exercise does not.
- August/Mindful Tech: Your smartphone addiction may be just as bad as being addicted to drugs, not to mention that you’re missing out on friends, family, and important life moments. Cutting screen time per day can even reduce aging, better your mood, help you sleep, and help your eyes.
- September/Less Sugar: The bad news is that you’re eating way more sugar than you think, but the good news is that becoming mindful and reducing consumption will clear up your skin, induce weight loss, and improve cognitive function and mental health.
- October/Stretching: Overhaul your energy, strengthen muscles to prevent injuries, improve posture and appearance, prevent chronic illnesses, and a foam roller is your ticket to daily massage.
- November/Sleep: Not getting enough sleep can kill you—literally. From cognitive improvements, to weight loss, to mood boosting, to appearance, making good sleep a nonnegotiable in your life will improve just about every area of health and wellness.
- December/Laughter: Laughing daily has its benefits both inside and out. You’ll release blocked emotions, become more likeable and attractive to those around you, improve memory, and help you live a longer, healthier life in which joy abounds.
Inspiring, practical, and informative, illustrated with helpful photos and charts, THE SELFCARE SOLUTION teaches you how to recalibrate your life to enjoy a better, healthier year, one month at a time.
ABOUT JENNIFER ASHTON, M.D.
ABC News’ Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, is the country’s leading voice of Women’s Health. Dr. Ashton is a board-certified OB-GYN, author and is board-certified in Obesity Medicine.
Dr. Ashton is a graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University. She then received her medical degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she was elected Class President for four consecutive years. Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Bartlestone Award in Pharmacology. Dr. Ashton received her post-graduate training in women’s health and surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in NYC, an affiliate of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. She served as Administrative Chief Resident and was awarded Chief Resident of the Year upon completing her residency. She received a Master of Science Degree in Nutrition from the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Institute of Human Nutrition in 2016, making Dr. Ashton one of the only M.D.’s with a national media platform who also has a degree in Nutrition. She is one of the few physicians with media platforms who still sees patients and has an active medical practice for women’s gynecology and obesity/weight management.
Since 2012, she has also been the Senior Medical Contributor for Good Morning America and World News Tonight, ABC News. From 2009-2011, Dr. Ashton was the Medical Correspondent for CBS News Network, where she received the prestigious Columbia Alfred DuPont Award for Excellence in Journalism for her work. Dr. Ashton is the author of four other books: Eat This Not That When Expecting, The Body Scoop for Girls, Your Body Beautiful, and Life After Suicide.
Dr. Ashton also has a monthly feature column, “Ask Dr. Ashton”, in Cosmopolitan Magazine. In January 2010, Dr. Ashton travelled to Haiti with a medical team where she treated victims of the earthquake for 8 days.
Dr. Ashton is a frequent keynote speaker and moderator for national events with topics ranging across all women’s health, wellness, and prevention. She is committed to improving the lives of girls and women through increasing health literacy and busting myths that have been propagated via folklore with little medical or scientific basis. She has a ‘girlfriend’s’ approachable demeanor with Ivy League credentials that combine to make her the definitive voice for Women’s Health in the modern age. As a mom of 2 teenagers, Dr. Ashton not only ‘talks the talk’ but ‘walks the walk’, proving that commitment to good nutrition, fitness, sleep and stress reduction are the cornerstones to health and wellness. With her MD, and credentials in Nutrition, along with her accomplishments as a triathlete, cyclist and fitness enthusiast, Dr. Ashton is as comfortable discussing the latest workout or diet trend, as she is counseling on cancer screening or reproductive health issues facing women.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
THE SELF-CARE SOLUTION
by Jennifer Ashton, M.D.
William Morrow Hardcover, On Sale Date: December 30, 2019
ISBN: 9780062885425, Price: $26.99
E-book ISBN: 9780062885470, Price: $12.99