Six Health and Wellness Goals for 2026

Tired of setting new year’s resolutions that always fall through? Don’t worry, prioritizing your health doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple recommendations, you can put your health first without turning your life upside down: 

• Schedule your annual primary care visit 
• Review your immunization schedule 
• Keep up with preventive screenings 
• Build heart-healthy habits 
• Check in on your mental and behavioral health 
• Keep medications organized and up to date

Schedule your annual primary care visit 

Your annual physical exam shouldn’t be overlooked. Your primary care physician can give you a clear picture of your current health and start conversations about where you’re headed.  

While many tend to forget about their annual physical exams or put them off entirely, these quick visits can help you feel more confident as you navigate the year ahead. They also play a key role in preventing conditions such as:

• Heart disease 
• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure or cholesterol 
• Cancer 

During your annual primary care visit, your physician may:

• Review your medical history 
• Check your vitals: blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels
• Order blood work to better assess your health
• Discuss relevant screenings and vaccinations 
• Chat about your mental health, diet, stress levels and overall well-being
• Answer your questions 

If you’re managing a chronic condition, notice bothersome symptoms, or simply want to stay healthy, schedule a quick visit with your primary care physician to start the year off on the right foot. 

Review your immunization schedule 

The new year is a perfect time to look over your and your family's immunization schedule. During your annual visit, consider asking your provider about the following vaccinations:

• Seasonal flu vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine/booster
• Tdap booster
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Shingles vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine

Immunizations play a crucial role in preventing illnesses that often result in missed school days, time away from work or more severe complications. Whether you’re overdue for a booster or your child needs a shot before heading back to school, take a moment to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Keep up with preventive screenings

When it comes to your long-term health, preventive screenings are your best friend. Serious conditions like cancer and heart disease often develop silently, before symptoms become noticeable, making diagnosis more difficult. 

By following your primary care physician's recommendations for preventive screenings, you can help catch these serious conditions before they progress and require more aggressive treatment methods. 

Common preventive screenings include: 

• Mammograms (starting at age 40–50, depending on risk)
• Colorectal cancer screening (starting at age 45)
• Cervical cancer screening (ages 21 - 65)
• Prostate cancer screening (typically starting around age 50)
• Diabetes screening (starting at age 35, or earlier with risk factors)
• Cholesterol testing (beginning in early adulthood, often at age 20)
• Lung cancer screening (ages 50–80 with a history of heavy smoking)
• Bone density testing (starting at age 65)

Your primary care physician will help determine which screenings are right for you based on your age, lifestyle, medical history and family health patterns. Together, you can build a screening schedule that supports your long-term health and gives you peace of mind throughout the year.

Build heart-healthy habits

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but many of the biggest risk factors, such as diet, physical activity, blood pressure, and stress, are influenced by the choices we make every day. The good news is that heart-healthy habits don’t have to be complicated:

• Eat more foods for heart health, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, to give your body the nutrients it needs to support heart and overall health.
• Limit sodium and added sugars to help improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels and long-term cardiovascular health.
• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes to keep your body moving, maintain a healthy weight and strengthen your heart.
• Reduce stress levels by practicing mindfulness and supporting your mental health to lower strain on your heart and improve emotional well-being.
• Prioritize sleep and rest to give your heart and body the time they need to recharge and recover.

Together, these habits can help prevent hypertension, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and obesity, offering powerful protection for your long-term health.

Check in on your mental health 

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Poor mental health can impact your sleep, digestion, blood pressure and even your immune system. This year, let's prioritize our mental health and adopt regular habits to make each day feel brighter:  

• Keep a daily or weekly journal to notice changes in your mood, energy, or stress levels. 
• Reach out to a behavioral health professional and mental health therapists if you notice ongoing anxiety, sadness, or changes in your sleep or appetite. 
• Lean on your support system and reach out to them when you’re feeling down or need advice. 
• Set realistic boundaries with work, family and friends to reduce unwanted stress and give yourself time to decompress.

By focusing on your mental health, you take an active role in preventing chronic stress, insomnia, burnout, headaches and more. New year, new mindset.  

Keep medication organized + up to date 

Staying on top of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplement, is an essential part of maintaining your health.  

Complications can arise when doses are missed, medications interact or old prescriptions are still being taken. Try following a few of our helpful tips to avoid unwanted complications from medication: 

• Bring an updated list of medications to every doctor’s appointment to help your provider check for interactions or unnecessary overlap. 
• Use a pill organizer or reminder app to reduce missed or doubled doses. 
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about interactions if you start a new over-the-counter medicine or supplement. 
• Store medications safely at home in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets. 
• Dispose of expired or unused medications properly through community drop-off programs or pharmacy return bins. 
• Inform your healthcare physician about any side effects so they can adjust your treatment plan if necessary. 

Having a clear and updated medication plan ensures that your treatment supports both your health and your lifestyle.  

Starting the year with simple, sustainable health goals can make a meaningful difference in how you feel today and in the future. Let’s make 2026 the best year yet.