With the holiday season behind us, it’s time to look forward to a new year. If your resolutions include plans to get healthy, there’s never been a better time to get started! If you’ve already made your resolutions for the new year, be sure these healthy habits are on your list!

Schedule your Healthy You! visit - What better way to take control of your health than by knowing your health status? Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi’s Healthy You! wellness benefit makes it simple for you to know your health status with this annual preventive wellness visit. This innovative benefit is designed specifically for your age and gender to ensure you get the right health screenings at the right time. Learn more about the recommended screenings for your age and gender in the ‘be healthy’ section of our website.

Be Rx Smart – Make the most of your healthcare dollar by making wise prescription drug choices. If your Network Provider decides you need medication to treat a condition, ask for a generic or other low-cost alternative. This can help you avoid unnecessary costs while effectively managing your condition.

Eat healthy – Eating a healthy diet is something many of us strive to do, but sometimes we fall short. Busy schedules can often make it difficult to eat a well-balanced meal each day. So, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made it easier than ever to balance our plates with its new MyPlate tool! This visual representation of a dinner plate uses color and graphics to represent recommended servings for foods. MyPlate recommends filling your plate with ½ fruits and vegetables, ¼ lean protein and ¼ whole grains. Read more about MyPlate on the USDA's website.

Control your portions – If losing weight is on your “to-do” list this year, start by eating from smaller bowls and plates. Health experts agree this is an effective form of portion control, which can promote weight loss.

Be active – Exercise is key to maintaining and improving health at any age. No matter your age, health status or current fitness level, exercise can most likely benefit your health. The general recommendation is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to maintain health. If weight loss is your goal, you may need more. If you have any health limitations or conditions, you should always seek medical advice before beginning a program.

Quit tobacco – Tobacco use is one of the most preventable risk factors of premature death. Make a plan to quit today and look forward to a healthier life as a non-tobacco user. The health benefits begin almost immediately and your health continues to improve over the years. Learn more in the 'be tobacco-free' section of our website.

Manage Stress – Stress is a normal, and even productive, part of life. However, too much stress can take a damaging toll on your health. Make stress management a priority and practice simple and effective stress management techniques to help you deal with life’s difficulties.