Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital Many of us rush into the heart of winter with a flurry of big health goals, like losing a certain number of pounds and hitting the gym more often. These are admirable aspirations. But it’s also important to engage in more forgiving types of self-care — especially as the days shorten and many of us are left in the winter doldrums. “Of course, setting traditional health goals is important if you need to lose weight or be more active,” says Dr. Joseph Candelore, a primary care doctor at Geisinger. “But being kind to yourself in other ways and establishing rituals for self-care can also benefit your physical and mental well-being. This is especially true in winter, when people tend to be more isolated and at risk for SAD (seasonal affective disorder).”