Healthy Habits for 2026
What's the key to having a good year? It's YOU!
1. Prioritize doing any kind of physical activity that you enjoy! Being active is important, but sometimes we set a goal so high that we give up too soon. The best exercise plan for you is one that you’ll stick with! Start small: Walk to your mailbox each day, dance in the kitchen to your favorite song, just get moving in any way that works for you! Plus, come out to your local senior center to get active with one of our guided exercise classes, or use our gym equipment to design your own workout routine!
2. Start making healthy food choices to nourish your body and your brain. Eating right matters! If you have specific health concerns, speak with a healthcare provider about what kinds of foods you should be avoiding or what you need to eat more of. Make nutrition easy with Meals on Wheels Upstate! We offer a menu of more than 70 different meals that are designed by our chef & approved by a certified nutritionist, so they taste great and provide the nourishment you need!
3. Keep in touch with family & friends! This one sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get lost in everyday life and forget to stay in regular contact- even with those we love the most. Write letters, talk on the phone, meet for breakfast, or take a walk around your neighborhood together! Studies show that staying socially engaged helps your brain age more slowly. Looking for more friends? Join your nearest Senior Center! We have locations in Anderson, Seneca, & Walhalla.
4. Exercise your mind with contemplative activities like puzzles, reading, or sudoku. In the midst of modern life, many of us find it easier to simply turn the television on or scroll on Facebook, but while these things may keep us occupied they're starving our brains! Challenge your brain a little bit each day with things like crosswords, word searches, sudoku, and other activities that gives your brain a workout! Did you know each one of our Senior Centers has a library for members on-site? Stop by sometime and find your next weekend read!
5. Try lowering stress with mindfulness activities, such as prayer, journaling, and quiet reflection. When our thoughts are racing, it's hard to get proper rest and focus on what we need to do next. Set aside a few minutes each day to purposefully clear your mind, whether that be through journaling your thoughts, saying a prayer to let go of your worries, or simply sitting quietly in meditation.