Here are 5 Helpful Tips to Consider:
The beginning of a New Year is a great time to create a plan for your health journey. Whether you are building on habits you’ve already established or are starting fresh, it is a perfect opportunity to focus on health. At Mahaska Health, we encourage you to make the best choices for yourself and your family in 2025 and are here for you every step of the way.
Here are 5 helpful tips to consider when setting your 2025 health goals:
1) Set Realistic Health Goals
Having a strong idea for health improvement is a good first step to moving forward. To continue in the right direction, it’s helpful to break down goals into the S.M.A.R.T. goal framework. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.
Here is an example of a S.M.A.R.T. health goal and how it can work for you:
“I will walk 30 minutes, five days a week, for the next three months to improve my cardiovascular health.”
• Specific: The goal is clear – walking for 30 minutes.
• Measurable: You can track the time and number of days you walk.
• Achievable: Walking for 30 minutes five times a week is realistic for most people.
• Relevant: The goal supports overall health and fitness.
• Time-bound: It’s set for a period of three months, with a clear timeframe.
2) Prioritize Your Recommended Health Screenings
The best way to prevent health concerns is to be proactive. Some of the most common recommended health screenings include:
• Cholesterol Health Screenings
• Breast Health Screenings
• Colorectal Health Screenings
• Lung Health Screenings
• Cervical Health Screenings
• Prostate Health Screening
Mahaska Health offers the community opportunities throughout the year to act on preventative screenings. To help yourself plan, schedule an appointment with your family medicine provider to discuss what screenings might be appropriate for you this year.
Our Team is dedicated to helping you navigate your health journey. Based on your family history and personal risk factors, you may need to begin certain screenings earlier. Always let your provider know of any changes in health history.
3) Build Healthy, Everyday Habits
Sometimes health goals require lifestyle changes made possible by new, healthy habits. Building healthy habits can help you feel better and stay healthy throughout the year. These can be applied to everything from drinking more water every day, to following through on Physical Therapy plans, to remembering to exercise.
Here are some things that can help you be successful:
• Start small. If your plan is to exercise daily, begin by committing to 10-15 minutes and build from there.
• Be Consistent. Aim to do the same habit at the same time each day to make it a natural part of your routine.
• Partner With Others. Team up with friends or family for support and accountability.
• Track Your Progress. Log your activity daily and find ways to reward yourself on milestones.
• Allow Flexibility. Life happens. Whenever you get off track, focus on starting again as soon as you can, even if it is a little less than where you left off.
4) Attend Educational Events at Mahaska Health
Attending educational events can help you understand important, sometimes complex information, provide you with access to experts, and connect you with the community. Throughout the year, Mahaska Health hosts free educational events that often include screenings, resources, Q & A sessions, and fun activities.
Some of the events to be on the lookout for this year are:
Share the Love – Saturday, February 8th
Community Cholesterol Screening – Saturday, February 15th
Baby Fair – Saturday, April 12th
Men’s Health Tractor Ride – Saturday, June 21st
Run in the Sun – Saturday, August 2nd
Women’s Health Night – Tuesday, October 14th
5) Schedule Your Routine Check-Ups
One great way to set yourself up for success with your health goals is to prioritize your routine check-ups and consult with your Mahaska Health Family Medicine Provider. By scheduling your appointments in advance, you will have one less thing to think about in the future and can focus on your daily habits.
You Can Reach Your Health Goals
Wherever you are at in your health journey, it’s never too early or too late to be proactive. By setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, planning ahead for your recommended screenings, building healthy habits, attending educational events, and scheduling your routine check-ups, you can make positive progress in your health.
Our Mahaska Health caring and compassionate team of professionals are here to help you stay healthy all year. Prevention is peace of mind, when it comes to your health, it’s never too early or too late to be proactive. Which means now is a great time to learn about important preventive screenings for you and your family. To schedule an appointment with a Mahaska Health specialist, call 641.672.3360.
