Start the new year off right! Fidelis Care’s medical directors share wellness and lifestyle tips and offered advice for a healthy 2024.
1/3/2024
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Posted by Fidelis Care
Dr. Vincent Marchello:
It is important to get a checkup every year, so your primary care provider (PCP) can see any changes in your health and help you develop a plan that’s right for you. During your checkup, you can also ask your PCP any questions you may have. This will mark the ‘starting point’ of your health journey for the year.
Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds:
Do not forget to eat breakfast, drink more water, and choose nutritious meals with more protein and fiber and less saturated fat, sugar, and calories.
Dr. Steve Materetsky:
Just because the calendar is changing, it does not mean flu season is over! In fact, flu season peaks in January and February. It is never too late to get your flu vaccine and protect yourself. Ask your provider about the flu vaccine, along with COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.
Dr. Sharon McLaughlin:
Embrace the power of saying "no." Saying "no" is an important way to establish and keep boundaries. It is important to be able to focus on your own needs and limits. By saying "no" when necessary, you protect your energy, time, and well-being. This doesn't mean you are uncooperative. It is about being honest about your limits and comfort levels. It is a form of self-care and respect for yourself and others.
Dr. Lisa Moreno:
The importance of handwashing is simple, but it goes a long way to help prevent illness. Wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, or coughing or sneezing.
Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright:
Consider healthy ways to reduce stress by engaging in self-care. Activities like going for a walk, meditation, connecting with others, and practicing gratitude can help promote mental and physical wellness.
Dr. Thomas Raskauskas:
Make sure to keep up with your preventive health screenings, such as mammograms, cervical cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, and others, as recommended by your provider. Remember, early detection saves lives! For age-specific preventive health screenings, click here.
Dr. Camille Pearte:
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products. Every year in New York state, smoking kills 21,000 adults. Another 1,400 New Yorkers die every year from exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke. No matter your age or how long you have been smoking, quitting improves both your short- and long-term health.
These tips are a great way to kick off a healthy new year. Always talk to your provider before starting a diet or exercise plan. We wish you a happy 2024!