New year great time to prioritize overall quality of life needs
Well, it’s officially 2026 – happy New Year!
As the saying goes, new year, new beginnings. And what better time to start putting more of a premium on your health.
January happens to be International Quality of Life Month, a time to prioritize your overall well-being – physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially – by adopting healthier daily practices.
Erin McFadden, M.D., is a senior vice president and chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. McFadden is the clinical leader for all outpatient, inpatient, and specialty services. She sees adult patients at our Scranton Counseling Center, North Scranton, and Scranton health centers. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
That, of course, can mean any number of things. Here are a few ways to get started:
Improve your diet: Focus on whole foods and consider reducing – or eliminating – stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
Exercise regularly: Physical activity can lower blood pressure, boost endorphins, and improve your mood. Whether it’s joining a gym, going for a walk, or running a few times a week, movement matters.
Sleep better: Chronic fatigue can harm overall well-being and increase anxiety and depression. Establish a calming bedtime routine and limit screen time before bed.
Seek idle time: In our go-go-go lives, simply taking time to relax can be difficult, but a daily regimen that includes meditation or mindfulness – or simply doing nothing at all – can substantially decrease stress levels.
Prioritize your schedule: Cramming too much stuff into a day can be overwhelming, so check off the things that need to be done before pursuing the smaller-scale items.
Enjoy leisure activities: Make time for things that give you joy, whether hobbies, movies, concerts, dinners with friends, or sporting events – really anything that puts you in a good mood and helps you forget the stressors of life.
Talk to someone: Sometimes the best de-stressor is just talking about your problems with a trusted family member, friend, colleague, or licensed professional therapist. Mental health is so important, so don’t be afraid to seek help if you feel you need it.
Making even one or two of these changes can lead to noticeable improvements in how you feel. At The Wright Center, we integrate these principles through Lifestyle Medicine.
Our Lifestyle Medicine care team works with patients and families to improve their health and quality of life through lifestyle modifications such as stress management, tobacco cessation, improve nutrition, increased physical activity, stronger social connections, and better sleep habits. Our clinicians are trained in both conventional and lifestyle medicine, and they create personalized, sustainable self-care plans for long-term success.
For patients whose challenges are more weight related, The Wright Center also offers non-surgical obesity management. Obesity affects millions of Americans and can lead to chronic conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, stroke, and more. Our board-certified obesity medicine physicians consider environmental, genetic, behavioral, and nutritional factors, providing evidence-based approaches for safe and effective weight management. Achieving a healthy weight not only lowers the risk of illness but also boosts overall quality of life.
Ultimately, quality of life drives long-term health. Make it a top priority in 2026. Here’s to your health!
