Story by Trisha Brown

Let’s be honest—every January, gyms are packed with New Year’s resolutions in full swing. But by Valentine’s Day, that energy tends to fizzle out. Sound familiar? If health and wellness didn’t make your priority list this past year, don’t worry. These five simple and actionable tips will help you build healthy habits that stick—so you can make 2025 your year of lasting wellness.

Habit-Stacking: Build Wellness into Your Day

Here’s how it works: First, make a list of your priorities ensuring your health goals are in the top three. Once you’ve developed your priorities, you’ve got to make the goal easy to achieve. Habit stacking is a great way to achieve your goals. With habit-stacking you take a habit, or task you must do daily, and attach a task to it.

For example, if you desire to be more active and you must go to work every day, try adjusting your commute so that you pass one of Bryan County’s beautiful parks on your way home.

Move It to Lose It—Make Fitness Scenic

Exercise doesn’t have to mean hours in a crowded gym. Instead, head outside! Hendrix Park is a great location for being active. Boasting eight baseball and softball fields, a playground, various walking trails and soccer fields, Hendrix Park makes the goal of getting physically fit both attainable and scenic.

Stretch Your Body – and Your Budget

If you’re craving calm and balance, a budget friendly yoga practice can be found at Awakening Yoga Studio. New students can purchase a $50 pass for 30-Days of Yoga. Topping out at $1.67/day, yoga can help you achieve your wellness goals while being easy on the wallet.

You Are What You Eat

If yoga isn’t your jam, another way to improve your health goals is incorporating more whole-foods and plant-based options into your diet. Try visiting the Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market at J.F. Gregory Park every Saturday afternoon from 3-6. The market is full of local vendors and farmer’s booths with locally sourced produce and other items. You can elevate flavors and heal your body all while helping the community.

A Little Help from Your Friends

Another fulfilling way to accomplish your health and wellness goals is joining others who can keep you accountable. Find friends to work out with or who will check in on your progress. You will also feel great about helping them stay true to their goals as well. Check in by working out together, texting or joining an online community of like-minded locals.

Want more? Consider helping in the community. This will improve your sense of well-being and even improve mental health.

𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝟒-𝐇 is always looking for committed volunteers. Their program focuses on “hands-on” learning experiences focused on specific core values: Agriculture, Citizenship, Communication Skills, Environment, Family & Consumer Science and Leadership. Assisting youth within this organization develops communication skills and deepens connection with the community, further increasing the likelihood that you’ll stick with it!

Whether it’s mentoring kids, volunteering at events, or just showing up for the group walk at the park, contributing to your community will enhance your sense of purpose while keeping you on track.

Make 2025 the Year You Thrive

Wellness isn’t a trend—it’s a lifestyle. From scenic walks to calming yoga, farmers’ markets, and community connection, Bryan County has everything you need to build healthy habits that last. So, this year, let’s skip the fad diets and fleeting gym memberships. Start small, be consistent, and embrace wellness in a way that fits into your life. Your future self will thank you!