Transition into the new year on a healthy note

17, Dec 2025

As the colors of the leaves change with the seasons, our body and mind adjust in many ways that we may not be aware of. Shifts in daylight and weather can significantly impact our mood, motivation, and energy. Here are some tips for mental wellbeing.

The addition of holiday happenings to your schedule can lead you to lose track of healthy eating and exercise habits. The increased demands and stress can also lead to emotional health issues. Year-end deadlines at work, holiday shopping, family visits, and party planning often add a new level of stress during the holidays. Get into the holiday spirits in ways that make you feel delighted rather than exhausted.

Schedule time for yourself by planning a vacation. It is essential to step away from work and engage in activities that you enjoy.

Figure out what activities are significant to you. Whether it's volunteering your time to those who are less fortunate, attending holiday parties, engaging in fun activities with the children or baking treats, consider what you truly enjoy and focus the majority of your time and energy on those activities. Enjoy time spent with loved ones.

Last but not least, make time to exercise and stay active. This can be as easy as taking a brisk outdoor walk or practicing yoga in your living room. Continue to eat foods that nourish your body, but avoid overindulging in holiday goodies. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

Lazy cooler days and darker evenings make it tempting to skip many activities. Overcoming that laziness with even a short walk or a few stretches indoors can lift your mood and ease stress.

Find a fitness routine during the holidays. Try to add fitness to your routine. Even just 10 minutes of exercise can blast 100 calories. Try a 10-minute interval workout. Alternate the following exercises for the first 30 seconds of each minute, followed by 30 seconds of rest. Examples include push-ups, sit-ups, planks, burpees, jumping jacks, stairs, lunges, squats, biceps curls and triceps dips.

While spending more time indoors with fewer social connections during the wintertime, make an effort to stay connected with a quick text, plan a coffee date with your friends, or join a seasonal activity to ward off loneliness.

As this year comes to a close, it's a perfect opportunity to take charge of your health and wellbeing, as well as your healthcare coverage benefits to ensure you are on the right track for a great year ahead.

Consider selecting new benefits for the next year during open enrollment to gain a better understanding of your healthcare coverage. Confirm whether your healthcare providers are still in-network. If not, choose a new primary care provider who is in-network. Besides managing routine preventive care, a primary care provider also addresses the majority of your non-emergency needs, understands your health history, and helps manage and treat injuries, illnesses, or issues that require immediate care.

Schedule routine immunizations, preventive screenings, including age-appropriate cancer screenings, to help maintain your health. Additionally, be aware of your numbers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can help establish your baseline for monitoring your health in the years ahead.

Transition into the new year by closing the year on a healthy note. Take steps to stay healthy and potentially prevent health issues later on, including eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, visiting the doctor regularly, and practicing healthy habits. These are key strategies that may help keep your holidays healthy and happy.

If you are feeling low, fatigued, or stressed, consider speaking to a healthcare provider to enhance your mental wellbeing and navigate each season with greater ease and resilience.

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