It may not sound like a New year’s resolution, but Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel is serving up some unusual advice as you start out 2026: Eat your ice cream.”Ice cream will make you happy, adn that’s very important,” he explained.

I asked, “Why would I live longer eating ice cream?”

“Ice cream is a good dairy product; it’s got protein, its saturated fats are in a globule, so it doesn’t affect you as much as saturated fats in meats and other things,” he said.”Plus, you typically do it socially wiht someone else. And you know, being happy is a very important part of living a long time.”

“I feel like your saying ‘eat your ice cream’ is like ‘Don’t stress out as much about life. Be more social,'” I said.

“We’re here for only 75, 85, 90 years. You’ve got to make life enjoyable. You’ve got to make it fulfilling,” he said.

Norah O’Donnell and dr.ezekiel Emanuel, author of “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.”

The prominent oncologist and health policy expert is taking a different approach in his new wellness book, called, “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules For a Long and Healthy Life” (to be published Tuesday by W.W. Norton & Co.). He said, “I want people to stop obsessing. make it part of your life. You should like exercising, you should like eating well. Or else, you’re not going to do it for years and years and decades, which is what’s necessary for a long, healthy life.”

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Building Resilience: Lessons from a Shared Childhood

Growing up wasn’t always easy. For one individual, early life demanded meaningful responsibility. He routinely took his brothers home from school – a journey involving navigating busy streets, public transportation, and managing fares. This wasn’t just a chore; it instilled a profound sense of accountability and care.

That experience fostered a deep understanding of looking out for others. He credits his upbringing with teaching him the value of responsibility and the strength found in familial bonds.

Shared experiences were central to their childhood. The entire family slept in one bedroom. It wasn’t always peaceful. He jokes about the frequent, intense fights, even claiming they sometimes drew blood. Yet, amidst the conflict, a powerful connection thrived. They were, and remain, each other’s closest friends.

His core message is simple: relationships matter. Nurturing those connections is vital for well-being.

He also identifies certain lifestyle habits as detrimental to wellness. These include chronic stress, a diet heavy in fast food, excessive social media use, and consistently dining alone.

While many agree with the first three, the idea of avoiding dining alone might seem unusual. He clarifies that occasional solo meals are fine. The problem arises when it becomes a daily habit. Rather of isolating, he suggests reaching out – call a friend or strike up a conversation with someone nearby. Don’t let a solitary meal become a symbol of disconnection.