15 Things You Can Do in 2015 for Improved Health and Well-Being

For our posts on WakeMed Voices, we regularly consult with WakeMed experts – doctors, nurses, nutritionists, chefs and other highly skilled specialists – for advice and insider information on a wide variety of health-related topics. Today, we pull from 15 of our past blogs to create a list of things you can do in 2015 to promote better health and improve your personal well-being, as well as the health and well-being of those around you. We hope this advice will help you jumpstart a healthier and safer year ahead. Best wishes for a great 2015!

• Eat more fruits and vegetables that are locally grown and in-season.
• Consider the Mediterranean Diet, which involves centering your meals around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans.
• Manage your stress by knowing your limits and practicing relaxation techniques such as mediation, yoga or walking.
• Be more mindful and pay closer attention when driving, especially in neighborhoods where kids are waiting for or getting off the school bus.
• Wash your hands often and learn how to wash your hands more effectively.
• Drink more water and remember not to drink your sugar and calories.
• Incorporate more superfoods into your diet, such as the aronia berry and the blueberry.
• If you don’t know how, learn how to swim and ensure your kids learn how to swim as well.
• Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays by using sunscreen and other methods of sun protection, such as hats and visors.
• Think more carefully about your hearing and how to protect it.
• If you are a parent, grandparent or caregiver, teach children about health and wellness from an early age.
• Educate yourself on the dangers of heat stroke and learn strategies that will remind you never to forget to leave a child behind in a hot car.
• Learn how to recognize and properly react to the signs of a stroke.
• Eat healthy and stay active, especially if you suffer from congestive heart failure or another heart condition.
• Always remember to celebrate life and be thankful!