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As we step into a new year, many of us are eager to set resolutions that will improve our overall health and well-being. While the start of January is often associated with fitness goals and dietary changes, it’s also an ideal time to focus on important yet sometimes overlooked aspects of our health. Here are five resolutions that can have a significant impact on long-term wellness and help lay the foundation for a healthier, more informed future.

Get your hearing checked.

As the global population ages, understanding and addressing the connection between hearing and cognitive health will be increasingly vital for promoting healthy aging and preventing cognitive decline.

Nathan Michalak, Au.D., CCC-A, director of Audiology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at ���Ϲ�, recently explained why untreated hearing loss can have a profound effect on senior adults’ quality of life.

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Wear sunscreen.

Recommendations are to use SPF 30 sunscreen or higher to help minimize short-term and long-term damage to the skin that can contribute to your risk of developing skin cancer. Sunscreen may also help to prevent premature aging related to photo-damage.

“Utilize sun protection to help reduce the risk of skin cancer,” said Clinton Enos, MD, assistant professor of Dermatology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at ���Ϲ�. “This includes the use of sunscreen, protective clothing or seeking shade. Ask your dermatologist if you have any questions about the safety of sunscreen or any of the claims you hear on social media.”

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Sleep better.

Sleep is not just a luxury; it's a fundamental aspect of health and well-being. Yet, many struggle to get the quality sleep needed, while common sleep habits easily sabotage restful nights.

“One of the most pervasive and detrimental habits I see in my practice is the tendency for individuals to linger in bed while awake,” says Nathaniel Gordon, MD (MD ’15), assistant professor of Medicine and sleep medicine specialist at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at ���Ϲ�. “They do this while either trying to fall asleep initially or when waking up during the night.”

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Understand menopause.

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, and is characterized by hormonal changes that can lead to physical, emotional and psychological symptoms — including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings and long-term risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Despite being a universal experience, menopause remains underdiscussed, often surrounded by stigma or misinformation. David Archer, MD, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at ���Ϲ�, recently shared insights on menopause misconceptions, preparing for this life stage, thoughts on hormone replacement therapy — and also some positive aspects of menopause.

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Protect yourself from seasonal illnesses.

“Influenza generally begins to impact Virginia significantly as early as November,” says John Snellings, MD (M.S. '05, MD ’10, Family Medicine/Internal Medicine Residency ’14), the Glenn R. Mitchell Chair in Generalist Medicine and chair and associate professor of Family and Community Medicine for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at ���Ϲ�. “Currently we are seeing moderate statewide influenza activity per the CDC.”

While these seasonal illnesses are a common occurrence, Dr. Snellings says there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

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