By: Nicole Pajer

The holidays are the perfect time to indulge – hello eggnog, endless cookies and cozy sweatpants. That’s what this time of year is all about! But the new year is a great time to reset – and focus on habits that help you feel your best. Here are 8 ways to kickstart 2025 on a healthy note.

1. Make exercise a part of your routine

Regular exercise lowers your risk of chronic disease, dementia, cancer and stress, while boosting longevity. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity. But even brief sessions help – just 11 minutes of brisk walking per day has been shown to reduce risks of conditions like heart disease, strokes and cancer.

2. Practice good sleep hygiene

Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep boosts brain function, reduces stress, and supports immunity. Stick to a consistent sleep and wake schedule, avoid caffeine six hours before bedtime and skip heavy meals late at night. Dimming lights and limiting screen time in the evening, sleeping in a cool, dark room and exercising also promotes better sleep. Nap earlier in the day for no more than one hour and find ways to manage stress, with practices like gratitude – one study found that journaling what you're grateful for can improve sleep.

3. Limit ultra-processed foods

Ultra processed food like chips, cake, cookies and fries, which make up half of the diet of U.S. adults, are linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, cancer and shorter lifespans. Focus on whole foods and make smart swaps– opt for mashed potatoes over onion rings (or better yet, a salad!), trail mix instead of a granola bar and lemon water instead of soda.

4. Chip away at your stress

Chronic stress impacts everything from your digestion to sleep, and blood pressure. Embracing mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation, prioritizing sleep, and learning to say “no” can help you feel more Zen. Spending time in nature, mindfully conducting tasks like washing dishes, laughing, and even birdwatching can also help. Find what relaxes you and make time for it, whether it’s exercising or lighting a candle and sipping a warm cup of tea.

5. Get social

Loneliness is now considered an epidemic, affecting 1 in 3 Americans, and can lead to everything from obesity to anxiety, high blood pressure, depression and memory loss. Stay social by scheduling a call with a friend, inviting a coworker to lunch, or asking a family member to join you on an errand. Research shows that even talking on the phone for 10 minutes is enough to significantly ease loneliness.

6. Learn something new

Challenging your brain with something new may help to boost thinking and memory skills and slow down age-related cognitive decline. Sign up to learn another language through an in-person course or on an app. Explore photography through online tutorials and challenge yourself to get outside and snap some photos. Take a pickleball lesson with some friends. Trying new activities may spark new hobbies, which research links to better mental health and overall wellbeing.

7. Take a look inside your body

Annual physicals are essential but Prenuvo offers a deeper and more proactive look into your health. In just under an hour, a Whole Body Scan can check for hundreds of conditions, including tumors, autoimmune disease, spinal degeneration and brain aneurysms, all without the use of radiation, dyes, or contrasts. Prenuvo scans detect conditions early, often before symptoms appear, helping you access the best treatment possible, gain insights to inspire healthy changes, and provide peace of mind, especially for those with a history of disease in their families.

It also makes the perfect gift for a loved one and is sure to top anything on their list.

Visit prenuvo.com/NEWPORTBEACH to receive $300 off a Prenuvo whole body scan.