The start of a new year is the perfect time to reassess your daily habits and make sure you are taking habits that truly serve you well into the new year. We have gathered a list of tips that will help you feel your absolute best in 2026.
Dedicate Time to New (or Old) Hobbies
It’s important to dedicate at least a few minutes each day to things you actually enjoy doing. You can try settling down with a good book, practicing yoga, knitting a scarf for a loved one, or even enrolling in a virtual cooking class. Do something you really enjoy for at least 15 minutes a day, it will help boost your mood and get you into a great mindset.
Get Moving
Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week—that’s 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. If you’re a fitness beginner, start to slowly and gradually work your way up to longer, more frequent exercise sessions. Make sure to incorporate both strength training exercises, like weight lifting, and cardio exercises, like jogging, into your routine to get the most out of your workouts. Most importantly, make sure to find an activity you enjoy so that you’re more likely to stick with it in the long run!
Please remember to always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.
Eat Mindfully
While you may have gotten into the habit of eating indulgently over the holidays, now is the time to really consider what you’re putting into your body. Try to avoid empty calories like junk foods and desserts and instead aim to eat more whole foods. A balanced diet of protein, grain, fruits, and vegetables will allow your body to perform at its best. A good rule of thumb is to make sure 45–65% of your daily calories come from carbs, 20–35% from fats, and 10–35% from protein.
Really try to enjoy every meal by pacing yourself, eating slowly and chewing carefully, and stopping when you’re about 80% full. Studies show that it takes about 20 minutes for your digestive organs to communicate to your brain that you are satisfied, so give your body a chance to process your meals before you feel bloated.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can leave you feeling fatigued, foggy, and can lead to a host of health issues (like kidney stones) if left unchecked. Many people don’t realize that once you actually feel thirsty, chances are that you are already dehydrated. If you find that you often feel thirsty, you’re not alone – research shows that up to 75% of Americans live with chronic dehydration. Try your best to drink water regularly throughout the day, especially when you’re engaging in physical activity, and avoid drinking alcohol, sugary juices, and soft drinks which can exacerbate dehydration. You can use an online water intake calculator to find out how much water you should be drinking based on your weight, age, and activity level. See your doctor if you find that you are still experiencing symptoms of dehydration even after increasing your fluid intake.
Get Enough Sleep
This may be much easier said than done, but lack of sleep can wreak havoc on our lives making us sluggish and less productive, so getting enough sleep is important. Adults should typically aim for 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. If you are struggling with getting to sleep or staying asleep, now is the time to reach out to your physician to find out what is causing your sleeplessness. If you already know what the cause is, and are still having trouble catching those Z’s, try to establish a good nighttime routine to help put you in a restful mindset. Having a warm cup of chamomile tea, treating yourself to a nightly skincare routine, or even just listening to a nature soundtrack before bed can go a long way toward easing you into nighttime rest. There are sleep apps available via your mobile device, such as Sleep Cycle, Calm, or Headspace, that can track your sleep patterns or even help you fall asleep faster.
Reach Out
Truly no man is an island. Finding a community of people with whom you share interests and who you can go to for support, is vital to leading a happy, healthy life. You may already have people in your life you can depend on to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, but if you don’t have a support system or find that you need more allies in your corner, don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Nowadays, there are online communities and local networking groups available for every interest and activity, from bird watching to binge-watching your favorite show, it’s likely that you can find a group of people who share similar interests.
Talk to a Professional
We all struggle, and sometimes it can be beneficial to speak with a mental health professional who understands what you’re going through and can help you navigate your way through challenging situations. It is estimated that about 41% of American adults have spoken with a therapist before while another 36% say they haven’t yet but would be willing to try therapy at some point. Now, with technology allowing us to stay more connected than ever, there are even online therapy platforms that allow you to connect with a licensed clinical therapist right from your computer or mobile device. This means that you can speak to a therapist anywhere, anytime you want so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to get the help you need. Remember, it’s not a sign of weakness to seek out support, it’s a sign of humanity.
We hope 2026 brings all of you the peace and joy you need this year. Thank you for continuing to be a part of the AlphaNet community.