by And just like that… it’s 2025. After the holiday fuss and the slowness of Twixmas, it’s time to get back into work mode – and get started on any New Year’s resolutions. But you don’t need a major “new year, new you” overhaul to start this year healthier. Small actions – like the ones outlined below – can make a big difference, whether that’s adding quick ‘sports snacks’ into your day, starting your morning with a hearty, warming bowl of oatmeal or making a point of getting outside (without your phone). ! ) during your lunch break.
🥛 Milk it. January 11 is National Milk Day, and according to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll from last April, about 52% of American adults still drink some type of milk occasionally. Whole milk and 2% cow’s milk were cited as the most popular types, with only 9% of respondents preferring plant-based milk. There are plenty of benefits (namely vitamin D and calcium) to drinking milk – although it’s worth noting that health experts continue to sound the alarm about the risks of drinking raw milk, which is becoming increasingly popular, even if there is bird flu. That said, it’s okay if you can’t tolerate it or just don’t like it, as long as you get those nutrients elsewhere (e.g., through yogurt, salmon, or fortified orange juice).
🤢 Get started with these hangover remedies. Going too fast on the New Year’s Eve bubble? If you’re feeling rough this morning, drinking water, eating carbohydrates, and taking an aspirin or ibuprofen (but not Tylenol, which can worsen alcohol’s effects on your liver) can put you on the road to recovery. However, there is one hangover remedy you can skip: the ‘hair of the dog’. Experts say that having another drink can make you feel better temporarily, but it also increases the time it takes to recover from the drink.
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🤞Eat for happiness. Different cultures ring in the new year with special dishes, from pomegranate seeds to grapes. Does it work? Who knows? Should you try them anyway? Why not? In the US, Black-eyed Peas are a big favorite, and they’re healthy to boot. The nutrient-rich beans are packed with protein, fiber and polyphenols that are good for you. Serve them with kale (rich in fiber, vitamins A, C and K, folic acid and more) and cornbread (contains phosphorus and B vitamins, but watch out for sodium), which are also associated with happiness. Or mix it up and make a non-traditional version, like Carla Hall’s black-eyed pea salad.
🧊 Consider a polar bear dive. From Austin, Texas to the Jersey Shore, New Year’s Day means trading your sweater for a swimsuit and taking an ice-cold dip. Fans of the tradition say it’s a great way to get yourself into a New Year’s mindset (and make you forget about the hangover you woke up with). Although the evidence is limited, health experts say a cold plunge can help reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, relieve stress and awaken the senses – provided it’s done safely.
🩸 Find out your blood type and consider donating. January is National Blood Donor Month, and it’s worth remembering that donating blood (for those who are able) is good for you too. And although people with blood group O negative are known as universal donors, because their red blood cells can be used by anyone in an emergency, it is definitely worth donating regardless of your blood type, because preference is given to matching blood groups. Don’t know your blood group? Here are a few ways to find it, including consulting your parents, taking a test at home, or checking your records after donating blood (another reason to roll up your sleeves).
🍷 Bring on Dry (or Moist?) January. If your 2025 agenda is to cut back on booze, experts recommend enlisting the help of a like-minded friend who can keep you on track and note the benefits you experience from not drinking (such as better sleep or less). last night?!” This can also be the time to experiment with fun mocktails – try these dietitian-approved tips – but be careful not to overdo it when swapping soda for alcohol.
🗄️ Clean up. Yes, there is an official Clear Off Your Desk Day, and guess what? It’s January 13th this year, so set a reminder. It’s time to put away the papers you need, shred the items you no longer need, and throw away old Post-it notes, empty coffee cups, take-out cutlery, and other trash cluttering your workspace. Research shows that a clean workspace improves focus and productivity; Conversely, one study found that people with messy desks were perceived as more neurotic, less pleasant and less conscientious.
😔 Remember that Blue Monday is not real. As you enter January and brace yourself for the most depressing day of the year, also known as Blue Monday, you can quit. As The Guardian has reported, the ‘holiday’ (which would this year fall on Monday, January 20) was devised to help a British travel company sell more holidays to people looking to banish their winter blues. concept has since discredited it. While there is no reason to fear this one particular day, some people (about 5% of American adults) may experience seasonal affective disorder this time of year. If you are experiencing symptoms (low energy, changes in eating and sleeping habits) that seem more persistent or life-changing than a standard seasonal slump, discuss this with your doctor.
🧑⚕️ Stay on top of your cervical health. Thanks to the HPV vaccine, the number of cervical cancer cases among young women has decreased. But screenings have also declined and doctors say this is a major concern. An action item to consider for this month, which is also Cervical Cancer Awareness Month? Make sure you’re up to date on screenings, whether it’s a Pap smear (recommended every three years), HPV testing (recommended every five years), or co-testing. Guidelines vary by age, so check here to see what is recommended for you.
🧀 Get your cheese fix. If you love fondue, then this one is for you: January 20 is Cheese Lover’s Day, and you’d be remiss not to munch on some cheddar or get some gouda in your belly. From a health perspective, cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein, although full-fat dairy products come with many warnings about sodium and saturated fat, which can wreak havoc on your cholesterol levels. For the record, Today rates cottage cheese as the healthiest, followed by soft cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella and feta, which tend to be lower in fat. But there’s also no shame in enjoying your favorite cheese in moderation.
🐍 Celebrate the Lunar New Year. Need something fun, festive, and awe-inspiring to brighten up those dreary January days? Find Lunar New Year celebrations, from lion dances to lantern festivals, near you. The 15-day festival marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar starts on January 29 this year and heralds the Year of the Snake. If you’re new to the event, consider this an opportunity to learn more about deep-rooted cultural practices – including the importance of ‘wiping away the dust’, by cleaning the house days in advance to bring good luck – celebrated in many Asian countries, and to enjoy the sights, sounds and foods of the festivities.
To do this month:
To eat: your greenies. It may not be as sexy as the spring explosions of peas and asparagus, but don’t write off winter produce. This is the time for leafy greens to shine. Add some spinach to your smoothie for extra iron. Upgrade your salad by replacing iceberg with vitamin-rich, antioxidant-rich kale or mustard greens (this kale salad laced with pancetta bread crumbs, pine nuts, currants, and parmesan gets rave reviews). Chard and kale can also brighten up your winter meals, but a word of caution: wash your leaves well. Winter vegetables are high on the list of produce with the most pesticides, but rinsing thoroughly (or buying organic) can offset this.
To get: last Quitter’s Day. The second Friday in January (that’s January 10) is known as Quitter’s Day, which marks the point when many people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. (The concept is based on trends experts have noticed when tracking a decline in fitness app use.) So what happens if you’re having a hard time staying motivated but don’t want to give up on your 2025 goals just yet? One tip experts passed on to Fortune is to try breaking your resolution into smaller, more manageable goals. For example, if your resolution is to “get in better shape,” specify what that means and map out what you can do weekly or even daily (do 20 minutes of strength training on your lunch break, plan a Sunday morning bike ride). ride, etc.) to help you achieve that. You can also see here which methods work for people who often set resolutions.
To take: a news break if you need it. Major political changes are in store this month, marking the end of the Biden administration and a second Trump inauguration on January 20. If you’re still burned out by the election discourse, remember that it’s okay to set boundaries around how much of the news and social media content you consume. That might mean giving yourself just a few minutes a day online, muting news alerts or accounts that you find stressful or divisive, or focusing more on feel-good content (Adam Sandler movies, cute Moo Deng videos) — or all of the above.
