New Year’s Resolutions: Sticking the Landing

Got resolutions? Making them is the first step — the hard part is sticking to them to improve your health. Here’s how to stay on track through 2025 and beyond.

Contributed by Sonal Patil, MD, MSPH | Family Medicine Physician

“First rule of health-focused resolutions? Make them about overall health, rather than just about reaching a certain weight or getting to the gym a specific number of times. Zero in on ways to improve physical, emotional, and social wellbeing,” says Sonal Patil, MD, MetroHealth Family Medicine Physician.

Get a checkup

Start 2025 by visiting your primary care provider to check if you need any health screenings or vaccines. Your doctor can also help with things like high blood sugar or high blood pressure, so they don’t turn into long-term problems like diabetes or heart disease.

Getting checked for cancer early is very important because it helps find the cancer when it is easier to treat and can save lives. If you’re struggling with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, your primary care provider can refer you to see a behavioral health professional.

Up your sleep hygiene

Getting good sleep is important for heart and brain health. Going to bed at the same time, staying off your phone before bed and keeping your room quiet and comfortable can help. Good sleep gives you more energy and helps you feel your best. If you find that you are often tired during the day, you might need a sleep study. Talk to your primary care provider about your concerns.

See friends

Feeling lonely or alone can hurt your body and mind. This year, try to spend time with old and new friends in person. Look for events or volunteer activities at your library, church or senior center. You can also join support groups to meet people. MetroHealth offers groups to help with long-term health problems or recovering from serious sickness or injury.

Plan for healthy eating

Forget drastic diet shifts — they’re either unhealthy or too difficult to stick to. Instead, resolve to fuel your body for lifelong health.

Planning is key. Create a meal plan for your week:

Focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins like nuts, beans and fish.
Use oils like olive or sunflower.
Avoid added sugars and too much salt, and limit alcohol.
Prep and store what you can ahead of time.

Get accountable

To stay on track with resolutions, get a buddy who shares your goals and can keep you accountable. Check in with each other once a week to report on progress or tackle challenges. Consider taking a class together, trying a new sport or just teaming up for walks.

To learn more about Primary Care at MetroHealth, visit metrohealth.org/primary-care.
To schedule an appointment, Call 216-My-Metro (216-696-3876) or schedule online with MyChart.