Healthy Aging in the New Year: Resolutions You Can Keep

Reviewed By: Rebecca Anderson, FNP-BC

Let’s look back at your previous years’ New Year’s resolutions. Did you stick to these resolutions all year long? Or did you find that after the first 2 weeks of January, you got less and less motivated to keep practicing your goals? If you fall into the latter category, you’re not alone. A poll conducted by Forbes found that the majority of people give up on their resolutions in less than 4 months [1]. Although sticking with your resolutions is ultimately up to you and your dedication, setting realistic resolutions can help make achieving them more attainable. Let’s learn about some simple health-centered resolutions seniors can set this year to maintain their well-being. Now is the perfect time for a fresh start!

Resolution #1 – Prioritize Preventive Care

Preventive care aims to detect and treat conditions as early as possible to maintain your overall health and well-being. By prioritizing this through making annual physical appointments, getting vaccinations, and screening for various conditions, seniors can prevent illnesses from developing and worsening. For example, preventive care may help a senior detect cancer at an early stage, which can likely be treated, rather than a later stage, which may be terminal. The kinds of screenings and vaccinations you get depend on your doctor’s recommendations, your family history, and your current symptoms. However, medical professionals often recommend that all seniors get vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, and shingles [2]. Likewise, they recommend that all seniors get screened for skin cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and cancer, as well as for dental, eye, and hearing issues [3].

Resolution #2 – Stay Active with Gentle Movement

Another great resolution to set this new year is to intentionally move your body every day. This doesn’t have to mean rigorous exercise. In fact, many seniors can benefit tremendously from low-impact exercises, like walking, cycling, and yoga. This is because low-impact exercises reduce the risk of joint pain and can be done at home without equipment [4]. As always, make sure you speak with a healthcare professional before starting a new workout routine. They will have better insight into which exercises are recommended (and not recommended) based on your health needs and conditions. They can help you make a fitness routine that works best with your schedule, abilities, and health goals.

Resolution #3 – Focus on Heart-Healthy Nutrition

Did you know that simple dietary swaps can have drastic impacts on your heart health? Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein can help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease [5]. It may feel daunting to change your diet completely in the new year. The good news is that you don’t have to. Making a few small switches to improve your heart health is better than nothing. Consider the following substitutions:

Replace white bread, egg noodles, and refined flour with healthier options, like whole-wheat flour, whole-grain bread, high fiber cereal, brown rice, and whole-grain pasta [6].
Avoid consuming too much saturated and trans fats by trimming the fat off meat, using less butter, and choosing low-fat substitutions [6].
Use herbs and spices instead of salt [6].
Control portion sizes by serving food on a smaller plate and paying attention to recommended serving sizes [6].

If you find yourself struggling to make smart food choices when you’re in a time crunch, consider meal-prepping healthy foods at the start of your week to save time.

Resolution #4 – Stay Socially Connected

A huge part of healthy aging is taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. A great way to do this is to maintain close relationships and socialize often. Not only does this improve your mood and mitigate the onset of depression, but it can also improve cognition [7]. A research study on senior mental health found that while spending time with family and close friends is beneficial, socializing with a broader range of people outside one’s usual social circle may provide even greater mental health benefits [8]. This is because part of socializing with people outside of your typical social circle involves leaving your home and spending less time being sedentary.

To stay connected and maintain relationships, seniors may join community activities/clubs based on hobbies they enjoy. For example, if they are creative and interested in art, they may want to join a local pottery class. If they love animals, they can volunteer at their local animal shelter. This gives their life structure and ensures that they get out of the house to do something they enjoy regularly.

Resolution #5 – Keep Up with Medications and Chronic Condition Management

The start of a new year can get hectic, which means it’s a common time people tend to forget about taking their medications and keeping up with managing their conditions. If you fall into this category, now is the perfect time to get back on track. To make sure you’re keeping up with taking your medications, reference your medication/supplement list and check your prescriptions. If you don’t already have a medication/supplement list, make an appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible so you can work together to create one. This list will be a valuable tool in your healthcare journey, as it will need to stay up to date with any new medication or supplement you’re prescribed.

As for managing your chronic conditions, set reminders to adhere to your treatment plan, whether that means taking your blood pressure once a day or applying a skin ointment once a week. You can set these reminders through notifications on your phone, by writing tasks down on a list and pinning it to your fridge, or even by involving an “accountability partner” who can check in on how your upkeep is going. Your primary care team is available if you need support at any step of the way.

How to Stick to Your Resolutions All Year

Setting resolutions can seem daunting, but when you break them down into small, achievable goals, they don’t feel as stressful. Remember, nobody is perfect. You are bound to slip up on your resolutions at some point or another during the year. The most important thing, though, is that you throw yourself back into your goals once you’ve noticed a slip-up. Consistency and determination are key. Tracking progress of your goals by journaling and celebrating wins by sharing your achievements with loved ones can help make the process more enjoyable and rewarding. No win is too small to celebrate!

Make 2026 Your Healthiest Start Yet

By setting these 5 resolutions and sticking to them, you’ll set yourself up for success in 2026. It’ll take patience, practice, and perseverance, but the health benefits that follow will make it well worth it. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, speak with your primary care provider for advice. For more support, reach out to Greater Good Health today!

References: