The whole concept of New Year’s Resolutions and some of the crazy (and possibly unhealthy) things people decide to take on worry me at times. I understand that a new year presents a “fresh start,” but there’s a lot that goes into making change stick, so let’s get started and see if we can set you up for success in 2017.

We all have bad habits, whether we’re rich or poor, regular Joes or even celebrities. We try to play it cool and pretend they’re not bothering us, but deep down we really want to get rid of them. However, it’s not easy — if it were, we’d be living in a better world, but that’s not the case.

Many parents don’t know what to think when their child announces that they have a new friend that the adults in the room just can’t see. Some parents panic by thinking that their child is delusional and worrying about their mental health. Others celebrate the child’s creativity and rejoice that the burden of arranging frequent playdates is lifted.

While drinking is often associated with boosted confidence, decreased anxiety, and general euphoria when consumed moderately, the reality is that binge drinking is quickly becoming a worldwide issue. Health problems linked to frequent drinking include heart damage, infertility, blackouts, and dependency. Consequently, more and more people are joining movements such as “Go Sober for October” to decrease their consumption or simply go teetotal.

As you grow older, osteoporosis becomes an increasing concern – and it’s especially common in aging women. A condition that affects the quality and density of a person’s bones, osteoporosis increases the risk of a bone fracture. Osteoporosis makes your bones far more fragile, and it causes approximately 2 million fractures and 65,000 deaths each year. 

A good night’s sleep is what we all need to wake up rejuvenated in the morning, ready to take on the world. Without the necessary rest it is a battle to get through the day, maybe even painful. But did you know that the benefits of good sleep go beyond our wakefulness and play a role in our overall health?