Small Neglect vs. Small Daily Practice

We often think of health as something we lose suddenly—after an illness, an injury, or a major life event. What I’ve learned in recent years is more subtle, and more unsettling:

Health is often lost quietly, through the compounding effect of small daily neglect.

When the COVID pandemic began in early 2020, my mother—once mentally sharp and physically strong—reduced her daily activity, as many of us did. There was no dramatic illness or single incident—just less movement, day after day. Within a relatively short time, we saw noticeable declines in her balance, strength, and immune resilience. The change was gradual, but unmistakable.

This experience taught me something important: inactivity is powerful. Small reductions, repeated daily, compound faster than we expect.

Encouraged by family and her primary care physician—my mother began to move again. Very gently. In small doses. No intense workouts. No pushing through fatigue. Just consistent, modest effort. Over time, she slowly regained strength, balance, and confidence. The process was not dramatic, but it was deeply meaningful.

Watching this unfold, I came to understand a piece of Chinese grandmother wisdom more clearly than ever before:

“Dripping water can penetrate stone.”

This saying can be understood in two directions.

On one side, it reminds us that small neglect compounds. Doing “nothing” for our health is not neutral—it accumulates quietly, eroding capacity, resilience, and independence over time.

On the other side, it reminds us of small daily practice compounds as well.
Ten minutes of intentional movement, breathing, or stillness—done consistently—can slowly and steadily build strength, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular health, immune function, and mental clarity.

As a caregiver, this observation reshaped my own practice. On busy days, I do a small amount. On lighter days, I do a bit more. What matters most is not intensity, but continuity. 

Most of us work long hours. Setting aside 10 minutes a day to care for ourselves is essential. Those 10 minutes can be spread throughout the day making them even more accessible.

The real danger is not that we do too little on any given day. The real danger is doing nothing at all. 

This New Year, rather than aiming for dramatic resolutions, consider a quieter commitment: interrupt the compounding effect of neglect—and introduce the compounding power of small daily practice to work in your favor.