Now’s the perfect time to reboot your wellness routine. Here’s how.

When we want to improve our lives, we often think about the bad habits we’d like to break. Instead, why not try to focus on all the healthy behaviors you can start? Here’s a checklist of the simple things you can do this month to help you reboot your wellness routine, so you can feel your best and keep doing all the things you love.

1. Schedule your health screenings

Staying up to date on important health screenings is one of the best ways to protect your health. Talk to your doctor about the tests below during your annual wellness visit. And don’t forget, this visit is available at no cost.

(Keep in mind: Depending on whether your test results are normal, your doctor may recommend these screenings more often than indicated below.)

High blood pressure
How often: Annually
Why: High blood pressure often has no symptoms. But if left untreated, it increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol
How often: Every five years
Why: Your total cholesterol is one of several factors that help your doctor determine your risk of heart disease.

Weight
How often: Every year
Why: People who are at an unhealthy weight have a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Colorectal cancer
How often: Every 1 to 10 years
Why: Colorectal cancer is easier to treat when it’s caught early. There are several types of screening tests. Ask your doctor which one is right for you.

Hepatitis C
How often: Once
Why: Getting tested is the only way to find out if you have hepatitis C, a curable disease. Left untreated, this viral infection can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Bone density
How often: Once for women; men should get tested if they have risk factors
Why: The bone-thinning disease osteoporosis often goes unnoticed until a woman fractures a bone. You may need to be tested more often based on your health history.

2. Make a vaccine checklist

Yearly vaccines are even more important for older adults. Here are four that can protect you from a variety of serious illnesses. Check off the ones you’ve had.

Flu
Why you need it: Influenza can be life-threatening in older adults.
When to get it: The best time is usually September or October. It’s smart to get it before cold and flu season begins. If you miss it in the fall, make sure you get it later in the season.

Tdap or Td Booster
Why you need it: This vaccine protects against three potentially deadly diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
When to get it: If you’ve never had a Tdap shot, get one as soon as possible. If you’ve previously had one, get a Td booster every 10 years.

Chickenpox and shingles
Why you need them: Both conditions are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. After having chickenpox as a kid, the virus can flare up as shingles later in life.
When to get them: Any time of year. Anyone who has never had chickenpox or was never vaccinated should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine. Adults 50 years and older should get two doses of the shingles vaccine. Talk to your doctor about when to schedule this vaccine if you’re also planning to get a COVID-19 booster around the same time.

Pneumonia
Why you need it: The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections of the bloodstream and lungs. Pneumonia can be very dangerous in older adults.
When to get it: Any time of year. Some seniors may need two vaccines, spaced a year apart. Your doctor may recommend a different vaccination schedule.

3. Make time for meditation

Studies show that mindful meditation can bring cognitive benefits related to aging, memory, and attention span. It’s simpler than you may think. Just follow these six steps to get started.

1. Set aside a few minutes a day at first (more once you’re used to it).
2. Wear something comfortable.
3. Find a quiet, cozy place to sit.
4. Keep your back straight, your neck relaxed, and your hands resting in your lap or on your knees.
5. Close your eyes and just focus on breathing. Try to practice for just a couple of minutes at first. As you get more comfortable, you can add more time.
6. Your mind will likely wander. That’s totally fine. Acknowledge the thoughts, but don’t get stuck on them. You will get better at this the more you do it. Return to your breathing.

4. Lower your risk of falling

Taking a tumble isn’t just scary. Falls can cause serious injuries. Here are some room-by-room home-safety tips.

Living room and bedroom
It’s easy to trip over cords, throw rugs, stacks of papers, or pairs of shoes. So get rid of the clutter. Leave lots of open, furniture-free space to walk around the room. 

Bathroom
Wet floors can be dangerous. Put nonslip rubber mats by the sink, toilet, and outside the shower or bathtub. Place nonslip strips in the shower or bath, and also add grab bars. 

Kitchen
Move the heaviest and most-used items to the lowest shelves. It’s safer not to reach for those. If you still need to use high shelves, invest in a “grabber” device to extend your reach.  

5. Manage your medications

Many older people take multiple medications, and it can be hard to keep track of it all. Here are some tricks that can help.

• Make a list. Write down all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs. Also include vitamins and supplements. The list should include the name of each one, the name of the doctor who prescribed it, the dose you take, and when you take it.
   
• Know what your medicines look like. If you take more than one, make sure you can tell them apart by the size, shape, or color of the pill.
   
• Store the paperwork. Save all the written information that comes with your medicines. Keep these guides for as long as you’re taking those medications.
   
• Check the expiration dates on the bottles. Don’t take pills that have expired. Your doctor can prescribe a refill if you need one.
   
• Dispose of medicines safely. Discard any unused or expired medicines as soon as possible. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to safely get rid of them.

Small actions can make a big difference. Remember, taking care of yourself is the best way to keep doing what you love, and to feel your best while you’re at it. Ready to get started? Pick one tip and put it into action today!