Level Up Your Health in 2025: Fresh Tips from UCLA Experts

You know the drill: sleep, exercise, healthy diet, stress less. But achieving true well-being takes more than just knowing the basics. UCLA Health experts share their unconventional tips to help you thrive in 2025.

Beyond the Basics

• Boost your mood: Dr. Reuben, a geriatrician, emphasizes kindness and optimism. “Be decent in every interaction and seek optimism every day,” he advises. Find meaning in helping others and yourself.
• Recharge your batteries: Dr. Ko, an integrative medicine specialist, encourages you to treat your energy like your phone’s battery life. Identify what drains you and what fuels you, then prioritize the energizing activities.
• Embrace the power of “STOP”: Diana Winston, mindfulness expert, suggests a simple technique for stress: Stop, Take a breath, Observe your feelings, Proceed calmly.
• Nourish your soul: Dr. Ogaryan, an oncology specialist, highlights the importance of holistic health. Connect with activities, hobbies, and people that bring you joy and foster a sense of meaning.
• Prioritize rest: Winston also reminds us to unplug and recharge. Make time for stillness and simply being, rather than constant doing.
• Fuel your body with plants: Dietician Dana Ellis Hunnes recommends a whole-food, plant-based diet as much as possible for its fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Spice Up Your Routine

• Ditch the sugar: Dr. Mills, director of the Men’s Clinic, challenges you to eliminate added sugar. Start by halving the amount you use in coffee and gradually cut it out completely.
• Move more, every day: Dr. Mills also encourages you to gradually increase your daily movement. Walk a little further, take the stairs, or find ways to be more active throughout your day.
• Get grounded: Dr. Taw, director of the Center for East-West Medicine, suggests a nightly foot massage for relaxation and better sleep. Use a golf ball or roller to stimulate acupressure points on your feet.
• Connect with others: Dr. Mills reminds us that loneliness is an epidemic. Find purpose and community by joining a social group or volunteering.
• Savor joyful moments: Winston encourages us to truly appreciate joyful experiences, even small ones. “We need to build up our joy resources,” she says.

Embrace a Holistic Approach

This year, focus on nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. Prioritize meaningful connections, find joy in everyday moments, and treat yourself with kindness. By incorporating these expert tips, you can create a truly healthy and fulfilling 2025.

Source: UCLA Health