21, Jan 2026
Have you ever made a new year's resolution? The new year is a great time to take stock of your life and make a positive change by setting healthy routines after indulging over the holidays.
A healthy lifestyle has many components. The most common topics we discuss with our patients are maintaining a nutritious diet, achieving a healthy weight through a daily exercise routine, and eliminating unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco and excessive alcohol drinking.
A good habit is something that improves your health, and you do routinely with minimal effort. A bad habit, such as smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol, is something that negatively affects your health and increases the risk of certain diseases, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and morbid obesity.
Starting with simple changes, such as eating a well-balanced breakfast, can help you begin your day on the right track and prevent cravings later in the day.
Eating the right food may help lower cholesterol and even improve memory. Eat more whole grains, fiber, leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, and lean protein.
Adults should aim for eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation affects concentration, can seriously affect your hormones and even your heart health.
Regular exercise can also help elevate your mood and promote better sleep. Working out with a buddy can also be a fun way to socialize and stay motivated.
Begin with 15-20 minutes of strength training per session. Exercise machines are an excellent option for beginners because they are easier to manage than free weights. You can use your body weight as resistance by performing exercises such as squats, lunges, sit-ups, and push-ups. You can find strength training videos to do at home using light hand weights or tension bands.
Remember to stay hydrated at all times. The recommended daily fluid intake is approximately 11 cups (8 oz each) for women and 15 cups for men. If you choose goals that are meaningful to you, you're more likely to stick to your resolutions. You can improve your chance of success by using effective goal-setting strategies.
Staying up to date on check-ups, vaccinations, and cancer care screenings is one of the best ways to maintain your health and reduce your risk of getting sick. Regular visits can also increase the likelihood of catching an illness early, when it is more easily treatable.
Many types of conditions can be detected early by routine blood tests and screenings, including high lipids, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, thyroid issues, cancer, and osteoporosis.
Discuss your healthcare goals with your primary care provider (PCP) today. Your PCP knows you the best, understands your health needs, and is familiar with your health history and background. Your doctor can help you develop a plan to achieve your healthcare goals. Check if you're due for any cancer screening tests or vaccinations. Book dental cleanings every 6 months. Schedule an eye exam annually. Set yearly reminders on your calendar to remind you of your screenings and exams.
To establish new, healthy habits and create new pathways in your brain, you must plan for it and practice. Each habit begins with a cue, which prompts you to start the habit, and then it becomes a routine. Then comes the reward that follows the habit.
When establishing a healthy mindset, focusing on one goal area at a time increases the likelihood of maintaining this habit for the long term.
Dr. Sue Mitra and her staff strive to offer their patients the best care, advice and services available in the medical field with the goal to keep patient healthy & happy.
Dr. Sue Mitra is board certified in international medicine. She is seen here with a Cologuard, which is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test. (Photo by: Tim Shortt/Florida Today)