As we step into 2025, Dr Donald Grant, a GP with four decades of experience, is urging people to consider making meaningful New Year’s resolutions focused on health and longevity. He believes now is the ideal moment to commit to lifestyle adjustments that can increase lifespan and minimise the risk of developing health issues.
He said: “In the blink of an eye, 2024 has come and gone. Now, as we look ahead into 2025, people will already be considering their New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I believe this is a great opportunity to establish a healthy lifestyle, increasing lifespan and reducing the risk of any harmful conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the best resolutions people can prioritise to promote their wellbeing.”
Among the top recommendations for 2025 is to keep an eye on weight management, especially post-festive indulgences. “Over the festive period, it’s quite normal to put on some weight – with increased social gatherings and heavy Christmas dinners. However, a brand new year offers a great chance to reassess weight gain and put healthy plans in place to address this,” Dr Grant said.
To aid in losing any extra pounds, Dr Grant, who is and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, suggests picking a sport or activity that you truly enjoy, which can help maintain motivation throughout the year. Moreover, it’s crucial to revamp eating habits by ensuring a diet rich in nutritious foods, reports Surrey Live.
He said: “Additionally, for obese individuals, weight loss treatments – such as Mounjaro – can be incredibly effective in shedding pounds and restoring confidence. People will need to pass a successful consultation to qualify for these jabs, but they’re suitable for adults with obesity (a BMI over 30) or overweight adults (a BMI over 27).”
Dr Grant emphasised the importance of sleep, stating: “Sometimes, the importance of sleep can be easily forgotten, but a lack of rest can increase the risk of some dangerous conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, while also boosting stress levels and making it more difficult to concentrate. Due to the numerous effects sleep can have on both our physical and mental wellbeing, prioritising at least 7-9 hours each night is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and even increasing life expectancy.”
He added: “To promote better sleep hygiene, I recommend sticking to a regular schedule each night, avoiding any blue light for up to an hour before bed and also reducing the amount of caffeine ingested in the evenings. These three tips can make it easier to fall and stay asleep, leaving people well-rested come morning.”
The advice also included reducing or stopping alcohol consumption. Dr Grant said: “Following the Christmas period, it can be easy to get carried away with alcohol consumption, but it’s vital that people take control of this issue before it becomes a health risk. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect our bodies in various ways, increasing the risk of cancer, liver disease and cognitive decline. While drinking in moderation is absolutely fine, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol.”
He also championed Dry January, advising, “January offers a great opportunity for a break from drinking, with many participating in ‘Dry Jan’. I suggest giving this a try, or at the very least limiting alcohol consumption, it can be a challenge, but kicking off the new year alcohol-free is also incredibly rewarding – both physically and mentally.”
Dr Grant further recommended: “While visiting the doctor more might seem like an odd New Year’s resolution, it’s definitely something people should do more. Regular check-ups can be a lifesaver, helping people catch harmful conditions in their early stages and giving individuals the best chance at making a full recovery. For many, this sadly isn’t the case and irregular check-ins with a GP can make it difficult to catch any potential issues early.
“Therefore, especially those between 40-70 should aim to schedule regular check-ups with their GP, allowing for open and honest conversations about wellbeing. It can also allow people to receive qualified advice on dietary habits and any other lifestyle factors that could impact health.”
Dr Grant advised: “A fresh year can bring its own stresses, making mindfulness techniques an effective way to escape and lower stress levels. From meditating to deep breathing, these activities can be done for free, in the comfort of homes and help people navigate stress. This is incredibly important for wellbeing, as stress is a huge killer. Increased stress levels are linked with strokes, obesity, heart disease and even addiction, meaning it’s vital that people do all they can to limit these negative emotions.
“Overall, 2025 offers an exciting chance to reassess our daily routines to ensure we remain as healthy as possible. From limiting alcohol intake to visiting the GP more often, there’s plenty people can do to promote a healthier lifestyle next year and improve life expectancy.”
Dr Grant, who qualified as a doctor in Bristol in 1985, has extensive clinical experience as a GP in and around the city, with a particular interest in orthopaedic medicine.