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10 January 2025

4 Ways to Live a Healthier Life in 2025

Rachel Kennedy
Senior Director, Medical Affairs
Media Center > Blogs > 4 Ways to Live a Healthier Life in 2025

The new year is a perfect time for us to ask ourselves an essential question: what can I do to prioritize my health and well-being?

As we step into 2025, let’s be proactive and informed about our health. From preventative measures to healthy habits, taking charge of our physical and mental well-being sets the stage for a thriving year ahead. Let's explore some key steps to take to make 2025 your healthiest year yet.

Preventive Care: Your Shield Against Illness

With viruses like RSV, COVID-19 and influenza constantly evolving, scheduling annual check-ups and screenings is crucial. It's important to stay up to date on all your vaccinations, and here are a few you should consider getting annually:

  • COVID-19: Everyone six months and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the latest variants.¹

  • Influenza: Annual flu shots are essential, as the virus evolves yearly. They reduce the severity of illness, hospitalizations and deaths, particularly for children, seniors and those with chronic conditions.²

  • RSV: The RSV vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 65 and infants.³

Schedule an appointment for your COVID vaccination at www.ForYouAndThem.com.⁴

In addition to vaccination, book your annual physical exam. It’s a chance to discuss any health concerns with your doctor and stay on top of recommended screenings for conditions like cancer and heart disease. These screenings are often tailored to your age, gender and family history, so talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Your physical and mental health are interconnected.⁵ Holistic health strategies are essential for improving outcomes in both areas. One in five U.S. adults are experiencing mental illness, so prioritizing mental health is critical.⁶

While mental health can impact anyone, be mindful of these risk factors:⁷

  • Social isolation

  • Poor emotional well-being or coping skills

  • Ongoing or chronic medical conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury, cancer or diabetes

It's important to remember that COVID-19 can have lasting mental health effects. The virus can increase the risk of Long COVID, which can significantly impact mental health. In fact, 41 percent of adults with Long COVID report depression within six months.⁸ Marginalized groups and individuals with disabilities are especially vulnerable to mental health struggles due to systemic barriers and higher rates of Long COVID.⁹

Maintain Healthy Habits

Diet and exercise are also important for a healthy lifestyle. In other words, it's time to get moving! The CDC recommends adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.¹⁰ Think of it as a brisk walk for 22 minutes a day or squeezing in 30 minutes five days a week.¹¹

Beyond exercise, nourishing your body with a balanced diet is key. Eating healthy can significantly lower your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.¹² To stay on track, keep an eye on your calorie intake and consider helpful tools like the USDA's MyPlate Plan or a food diary.¹³

We all deserve to live healthy, fulfilling lives. By prioritizing preventive care, healthy habits and mental wellness, you're making a powerful investment in your well-being for 2025 and beyond.

¹https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
²https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/vaccinations.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm
³https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html?s_cid=SEM.GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_RSV-Seniors-Brd:rsv%20in%20elderly:SEM00091&utm_id=SEM.GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_RSV-Seniors-Brd:rsv%20in%20elderly:SEM00091&gad_source=1
⁴http://www.vaccines.gov
⁵https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/index.html
⁶https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
⁷https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/index.html
⁸https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-06-05-007.pdf
⁹https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/features/mental-health-for-all.html
¹⁰https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/physical-activity/index.html#:~:text=For%20overall%20health%2C%20adults%20need,what%20works%20for%20your%20schedule
¹¹https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/physical-activity/index.html#:~:text=For%20overall%20health%2C%20adults%20need,what%20works%20for%20your%20schedule
¹²https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/healthy-eating/index.html
¹³https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan

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