By Nancy - January 1, 2017

Wellness tips for 2017 — and beyond!

Your daily schedule may include these routine activities: Drop the kids off at school. Drive to work. Go grocery shopping. Pick up the dry cleaning. Prepare dinner. Take kids to practice. Do a load of laundry. And go to exercise class.

With less daylight and colder weather this time of year, you may be more inclined to flip on the TV and settle in early under the covers. But, it’s important to take care of yourself and remember some basic wellness recommendations.

Eat smarter. Our Publix dietitians suggest watching your portion size and making better food choices. Make sure your diet includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Check out the triple S method to make better food choices in the new Dietitian’s Corner. Publix also offers icons on shelf tags and special shopping lists for specific dietary needs, as well as Publix Aprons Simple Meals recipes featuring Better Choice options.

Visit www.publix.org > Health and Well-Being > Life. Inspired. Program > Publix.com resources to learn more. And if you eat a little more than you should, don’t beat yourself up. Get right back on track the very next day.

Visit the doctor. If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, then make it a priority to establish one in 2017. Schedule an annual physical and talk with your doctor about exercise programs that are best for you and get the vaccines and preventive screenings you need, depending on your age and risk factors. Be sure to share the results of your free health screenings provided by your Publix pharmacist with your doctor. And don’t forget to schedule routine visits with the dentist and eye doctor, too.

Don’t smoke. If you’re a smoker, you hopefully know by now it’s bad for you. Quitting reduces your risk for cancer, heart attack and lung disease. In fact, quitting can even add years to your life. Talk to your doctor about all of the tools available to help you quit. With a good plan and lots of willpower, you can become one of the many Publix associates who have successfully kicked the habit. Visit www.publix.org > Health and Well-Being > Life. Inspired. Program > Tobacco cessation resources to learn more.

Embrace healthful habits. Make a point to protect yourself from illness and accidents. Wash your hands frequently. Get your free flu shot. Exercise regularly. Wear your seatbelt. Sleep at least seven hours every night. Make time for the things that make you happy.