Healthy Changes from our Editorial Team

Changes to promote health and well-being get a lot of buzz at the start of the year, but it’s always a good time to make changes to support your health. And the changes don’t have to be big. Starting with an easier goal and then building on top of it over time may make it easier to accomplish the goal.

Additionally, the goal should feel personally relevant and realistic for your life.

Many of our editorial staff focused on changes they made to promote healthier eating habits. But some also shared changes they made around movement, exercise, and mental well-being.

Health and wellness touch everyone’s life differently. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Healthline Media. All quotes are strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Small changes to your diet can have a big impact on your general well-being, but changes to your diet can also be hard to make. Start small, initially focusing on what you can add or replace instead of just removing things.

You can also focus on additional benefits. In Sarah’s case, she had more energy and saved money!

“In college, I almost exclusively ate microwavable meals. Between classes and extracurriculars, every day looked so different. Because of this, I convinced myself I didn’t have enough time to make my own meals. It became a running joke that I only ate TV dinners and ramen. Worse than the embarrassment, I felt like I had no energy.

“Currently, I make almost all of my meals with whole foods, and the change has been like night and day. I no longer have brain fog. I’m able to wake up in the morning and move my body without feeling like I could pass out at any moment. And, best of all, I save a lot of money. Those frozen meals are super expensive!” — Sarah, engagement editor

“For me, it was deciding not to snack on Snickers bars, Maltesers, and fizzy drinks between meals, or eating pasta and bread for most of my main meals. This happened about 10, maybe 12 years ago, when I was doing a lot of long distance driving. I’d somehow convinced myself that I needed extra ‘energy’ to get through a 2- or 3-hour journey because I often felt really tired — actually on the verge of falling asleep — while speeding along at 70 mph on the highway. This was not sustainable or, frankly, survivable.

“Eventually, the penny dropped: Riding the ups and downs of the blood sugar rollercoaster was exhausting me. A decade later, I’m at least 20 pounds lighter, with a more even temperament, and I rarely feel tired in the daytime — all thanks to a little bit of restraint in my day-to-day diet.” — Tim, newsletter editor

The more barriers there are to working out, the harder it can be to stick to a consistent routine. While it’s not always possible to live close to a gym, look for things that work for you to make that workout in feel more manageable. That could mean investing in a new pair of sneakers to turn your neighborhood or home into your “gym,” using an accountability app to log your workouts, or finding at-home workout videos you enjoy.

“I moved to an apartment that’s right across the street from my gym. This wasn’t totally planned. But it has helped me maintain a consistent workout routine. My old gym was a subway ride away from my last place, which often led to me making up lousy excuses.

“Now that it’s less than a minute walk, I’ve committed to 5 to 6 days of some form of movement — whether that’s strength training or a 30-minute rowing session on the ERG machine. I’ve even been able to add midday workouts throughout the week!” — Kenny, managing editor

Managing your mental well-being can come in many forms. It may mean carving out 5 minutes to meditate, adding in daily journaling, or finding ways to reduce your daily stress. For others, you may want or need a more structured or targeted approach through support from a therapist.

“Starting therapy in 2019 absolutely transformed my life. Before then, I had no idea how to handle anything, maintain healthy relationships, or even what boundaries were. I self-sabotaged way more than I like to admit, leaned on unhealthy coping mechanisms, and unintentionally hurt my loved ones (then avoided confrontation at all costs). I owe all of the positive change in my life to consistently working with my wonderful therapist over the last few years.

“Now, I’m way more self-aware, mindful of others, a better communicator, and clear on what I need to feel good each day. I’ve also received mental health diagnoses that helped me better understand my brain and how to live life in healthier, more accommodating ways. Having professional support has been an absolute game-changer for my relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.” — Morgan, newsletter editor

Preventive care can come in many shapes it sizes, and may include regular checkups with a primary care doctor, following through with recommended screenings, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Eye and oral healthcare can also fall into this category. Periodontal disease can increase the risk for other diseases, including heart disease, metabolic diseases, and some cancers.

“After having a root canal, I got more serious about my oral hygiene and added regular flossing into my routine. Not only can good oral hygiene improve oral health, but there are also a lot of studies around the connection between gum health and general health. This little habit has the potential to have a big impact.

“As an extra plus, I haven’t needed another root canal since I started regular flossing.” — Megan, senior editorial director