It’s a new year and a perfect time to take an overall assessment of your health. Here are 12 months of healthy habits to keep you healthy year-round.

January – Check Your Numbers

More than just knowing your weight or height (which is important), you need to keep track of all of your numbers. Take measurements of different areas of your body including your arms, legs, neck, waist, calf, etc. Knowing your baseline is important and will help you maintain or track achievements if you are looking to lose weight. More numbers you should know include your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

February – Check Your Heart

It’s healthy heart month! Now that you’ve got some of your numbers, it’s time to schedule a physical to make sure your heart is healthy. Your doctor should do a thorough health exam and bloodwork to ensure your heart is in tip-top shape or refer you as needed for additional testing.

March – Save Your Vision 

It’s National Save Your Vision Month! Now, it’s time to get your eyes checked. This should be a part of your yearly routine. AS you age, your vision can change and you want to keep your eyes as healthy as you can for as long as you can.

April -Sexually transmitted infections and stress awareness month

Get tested! It’s STI (sexually transmitted infection) month and stress awareness month and sometimes, the two go hand in hand. No need to be stressed about whether you have an STI. Get tested and know your status. Also, stress can negatively affect your health so make sure you get the mental health care that you need.

May – Stroke Awareness Month

It’s stroke awareness and more than anything it’s a good time to make sure you know your family history and check your risk factors.

June- Men’s Health Month

It’s Men’s Health Month and that is special because certain health considerations are specific to men. If you are of age, be sure to get your prostate checked. Moreover, men are often the population who skip the doctor so make SURE you are going for your annual visits at a minimum.

July – Protect Your Skin 

It’s UV safety awareness month and time to make sure you are taking care of your skin. Wear sunscreen, remove makeup nightly, eat healthily, and drink lots of water. Check-in with your dermatology for any chronic or acute skin issues or concerns.

August – Breathe Easy

In August we celebrate world lung cancer day. This is a great month to focus on breathing easy. Take the steps to stop smoking. Your doctor can help you with that.

September – Cholesterol Education Month

We talked about knowing your numbers earlier in the year. Now is a great time to see if the changes that you’ve implemented  – diet, exercise, or medications have improved your numbers.

October – Protect the Ta-Ta’s 

Get your mammogram starting at age 40 or sooner depending on your family history. It doesn’t hurt as bad as you think.

November –  Diabetes Awareness Month

Check your blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C, a number which determines your 3-month blood sugar average) to make sure your blood sugar is under control. Elevations in blood sugar can damage your vessels over time and wreak havoc on your body.

December  – It’s Time To Give

Another important part of making sure that you are healthy year-round is to give! Giving make our hearts feel well and alleviate stress. Take the time to give to others who may not have as much as you.

Here’s to a year of happiness and health!

Until next time #GYNEGirls and #Preggos…

Dr. Drai