January is the beginning of a new year, and it’s National Staying Healthy Month—the perfect time to think about how you can improve your health and well-being in 2026. According to an article published by the University of California, Davis, there are key steps you can take to foster your well-being and stay vibrant, active, and independent, even in the winter months.

Stay Physically Active

Engaging in regular exercise reduces your risks for chronic health conditions, lowers stress levels, decreases feelings of depression, and helps you maintain independence by improving balance and lowering the risk of falls. When exercising outdoors in the winter months, stay aware of icy weather conditions that can cause slipping hazards and make sure you are wearing the proper shoes and clothing to stay safe and warm. Even if you are not able to get outdoors as often in the winter, you can still stay active by practicing yoga or stretching, walking on a treadmill, lifting hand weights and even doing routine housework like vacuuming. Thanks to technology, you can also participate in online exercise classes to add variety to your routine. AARP offers a variety of free classes to get you started.

Fuel Your Body and Mind With Nutritious Foods

Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins has a multitude of benefits. Fueling your body with these foods builds muscle and bone strength, boosts immunity and helps to lower the risk for health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers. If your garden is dormant in the winter, or all of your favorite fresh produce is not available, frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious. If you’re looking to add more healthy foods into your diet, check out these healthy recipes from the National Institutes of Health.

Protect Your Mobility

Mobility is critical to maintaining an active and independent lifestyle. Older adults who have limited mobility may not be able to continue living in their own homes safely and may experience higher risks for disease, disability and hospitalization. Exercises like walking, yoga, tai chi, stretching, water aerobics and weight training improve balance, strength, flexibility and coordination—critical for maintaining mobility. If winter weather conditions keep you indoors, these are six of the best exercises you can do at home to boost your mobility.

Stay Engaged and Cultivate a Sense of Purpose

Building and maintaining meaningful relationships and participating in social activities increases quality of life and supports brain health. A recent university study found that people who had a strong sense of purpose were about 28% less likely to have memory issues or dementia. Activities like volunteering, mentoring, exploring new hobbies or learning new skills can help you develop a stronger sense of purpose, connect with others who share your passions, and stay engaged in your community. Spending quality time with friends and family on a regular basis can help build bonds. Even connecting online can help you feel less isolated if distance or winter weather conditions are keeping you indoors.

Protect Your Mental Health

Older adults face a higher risk of stress, and depression often goes undiagnosed in seniors. High stress levels can impact brain health and body functions such as digestion and can disrupt sleep. Depression can cause memory issues, fatigue, struggles with concentration, loss of appetite, and confusion. While physical activity, meditation, staying connected to loved ones and attending support groups can help reduce feelings of stress and depression, if symptoms become more serious, seniors should talk to their primary care providers about getting the help they need.

Attend Regular Health Appointments

Regular check-ups can help seniors catch health concerns early before they become more serious and impact their well-being. Yearly screenings can detect diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other conditions early when they are easier to treat. Checking in with your health provider on a regular basis can also give you the opportunity to address concerns you may have and learn ways to be more proactive about protecting your health and preventing disease.

Touchstone Communities Offers Comprehensive Care to Help Seniors Thrive

At Touchstone Communities, we are dedicated to the health and well-being of seniors in Texas. Our rehabilitation therapy services and skilled nursing care help individuals recover from injuries, surgeries and illnesses so they can stay active, independent and vibrant. We also offer best-in-class long-term care, memory care and respite care. Contact us to learn more.