Was that you I spotted at that New Year’s Day group class at my local YMCA? If not, don’t worry. It’s not too late. The start of a new year is a natural time to think about health and make resolutions for science-backed habits that make a difference over months and years.
Rather than extreme diets or complicated regimens, decades of research point to a handful of simple behaviors that are consistently tied to better long-term health.
To start the year right, I wanted you to know the most important things you can focus on this year to improve your current physical and mental well-being and have it pay off for decades to come. And yes, I know how hard it can be to realistically follow through when motivation is low or life gets busy.
I asked CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen to break down five practical, evidence-based actions that can make a real difference in 2026 and beyond. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.
CNN: For your first tip, you said to prioritize regular exercise. Why does exercise matter so much for health?
Continue reading the complete article on the original source
