How to Prepare for a Healthy New Year

The new year is just around the corner. For many of us, a new year means a chance to reinvent ourselves—an opportunity to set new goals, put old habits to rest, and change our lives for the better. Our new year’s resolutions are often a checklist of everything we need to become healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally.

But the new year isn’t here quite yet, and there’s still a lot to do. If you want to have a healthy year in 2026, now is the time to talk to your primary care physician, schedule any preventive screenings you may have missed, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your health insurance. Here’s how you can set yourself up for success during the year ahead:

Schedule a Check-Up

Preventive care is essential for living a healthy life. Everyone should see their primary care physician or non-physician provider on a regular basis, but as you grow older, it becomes even more important to schedule a check-up each year. During a wellness visit, your physician or non-physician provider can update your vaccinations, review any medications you’re taking, and help you learn your important health numbers, such as blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. If you haven’t yet had your check-up this year, find an opening in your calendar and schedule a visit.

Make the Most of Your Insurance Benefits

December 31st isn’t just the end of the calendar year. It’s also the rollover date for most insurance plans, and the date when your deductible and other health benefits reset. If you’ve already met your deductible this year—if you’ve spent more out-of-pocket on health care than the number listed in your plan—then any further expenses could be partially, or even fully, covered by your insurance provider.

What does this mean for your health? It means now is the time to schedule any preventive screenings or elective procedures you’ve been considering. Talk to your primary care provider about your mammogram, colonoscopy, orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, or any other treatment that would improve your health and well-being.

Make a Plan for the New Year

The best way to maintain a plan of health is to set measurable goals. Ask yourself: how would you like to be healthier in the new year? If you want to eat a better diet, select a day each week to cook a healthy dinner at home.

Replace unhealthy snacks with healthier ones. Soda can be substituted with milk or carbonated water, and fruit or nuts can take the place of chips or sugary sweets. When shopping, avoid foods that are high in salt or fat, and seek out whole grains and vegetables.

If you want to exercise more this year, find a time in your weekly schedule when you know you can get outside and get moving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the average adult get 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week. Think of activities you enjoy and look for athletic clubs or pick-up sports in your area. Exercising with friends is a great way to stay healthy and motivated.

If you aren’t sure where to start, talk to your doctor. Your primary care provider can help you determine what your body needs and create a plan to improve your health. Wherever you are in life, the new year is a great opportunity to make the changes you need to be healthier.

If you need a primary care provider, Saline Memorial Hospital can help. Call 501.387.0163 or visit the Find a Provider tab at SalineMemorial.org to get connected with quality care today. ν

Saline Health System, a part of LifePoint Health, is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network, CARF as a rehabilitation center, and the AASM as a sleep center. Saline Memorial Hospital is also proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Grade “A” Hospital for its commitment to patient safety and quality care. For more information about Saline Memorial Hospital, please call 501.776.6000 or visit SalineMemorial.org. For more information about LifePoint Health, visit LifePointHealth.net.