Whereas 2025 is winding down, the tip of the yr is usually something however enjoyable for many individuals across the District, nation and world. December is a busy time, because it usually comes with vacation preparation, social gatherings, and planning for the brand new yr.
Even with the quick tempo of the season, it’s vital of us take a second to decelerate and strategize for what’s to come back in 2026 and past– and a part of that features prioritizing well being and wellness.
English essayist and poet Leigh Hunt ( Oct, 19 1784- August 28, 1859) as soon as mentioned: “The groundwork for all happiness is nice well being.”
Pulling from Hunt’s idea, working to make this time merry and shiny comes with encouraging wholesome dwelling.
This yr got here with a whole lot of main well being bulletins and blows. Think about Serena Williams and others advocating for elevated entry to weight reduction drugs or the dying of D’Angelo as a result of pancreatic most cancers. Consider Montel Jordan elevating consciousness about prostate most cancers put up his prognosis and rapper Megan Thee Stallion getting private with Taraji P. Henson about her psychological well being struggles on the Boris L. Henson Basis Can We Discuss? summit.
Then there’s the well being issues of the yr: Medicaid protections; politicians weighing the continuance of the Inexpensive Care Act (ACA); inflation blended with elevated financial challenges resulting in meals insecurity; and the continued disparities going through Black People, together with: breast most cancers, maternal and toddler outcomes and entry to psychological and bodily wellness care.
Whereas there are challenges, there are additionally organizations, instruments and tricks to faucet into, with the intention to plan for a wholesome life-style total.
From studying concerning the work taking place at organizations and services across the District, to psychological well being tricks to final this vacation season and past, this version has instruments to maintain the entire household wholesome, pleased and complete.
Use this version as inspiration whereas setting well being targets for the brand new yr and maintain it useful to reference a few of the programming coming in 2026 that encourage and help wellness.
Whereas well being challenges can actually be unpredictable, there are methods to enhance one’s wellness and promote total more healthy outcomes.
Regardless of well being hardships, there’s hope– a lot of which may be discovered within the folks throughout the DMV space working to fight disparities and crises and encourage wellness for all.
That hope in well being can take folks a great distance.
Within the phrases of an Arabian proverb: “He who has well being has hope, and he who has hope has every thing.”
