Healthwise in Emery:
New Year, New You: Consider These Tips for Your Health
By Shelly Harris RN
The turn of the calendar is a natural moment to pause, reflect, and invest in your well-being. While many New Year’s resolutions fade by February, focusing on a few key areas can help healthy habits stick and may truly change your life. As we step into 2026, this is a great time to take a positive, realistic approach to health that supports both body and mind.
Eating well and staying active go hand in hand. Following Health Canada’s food guide plate can help you build balanced meals that include vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limiting highly processed foods, added sugars, and excess salt, along with practising mindful eating, can make a real difference.
Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. This can be broken into short, manageable sessions and supports gradual weight loss, improved energy, and better overall health.
If you smoke, quitting tobacco remains one of the most powerful steps you can take for your health. Reducing alcohol intake—or choosing not to drink—can lower the risk of liver disease, certain cancers, and high blood pressure, while improving sleep and mood.
Staying up to date on adult vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, RSV, and tetanus, helps protect you and your community. If you don’t have a family doctor, many local pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations for a small fee.
Sleep and stress management are equally important. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night and develop healthy coping strategies such as deep breathing, spending time outdoors, enjoying hobbies, or connecting with loved ones.
Healthwise Quick Tip
Don’t tackle all your resolutions at once. Choose one or two small goals, build gradually, and increase your chances of long-term success.
Helpful Health Information
• Ask your pharmacist about supplements that may be right for you
• Many pharmacists offer walk-in consultations and can administer select vaccines
• Daily walks, movement breaks, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator all add up
• Consistency matters more than intensity—small habits done daily go a long way
Healthwise Disclaimer:
The Healthwise in Emery column is intended to offer general health information and suggestions only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers are encouraged to consult their primary care provider or a qualified health professional with questions or concerns about their health.