Preparing for a Healthy New Year

A Guide to Chronic Medication Registration and Health Planning

Written by Professor Stephen Mashingaidze and Rumbidzai Mukori-William for BonVie Medical Aid scheme

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! 2025 has been amazing and we are counting down as we prepare for the end of the year. It is an excellent time to reflect on your health and wellbeing (1). Especially after we have enjoyed the festive treats and yummy dishes. Beyond counting calories, just having a game plan to boost your health will give you confidence to start the new year on a healthier and happier note! Now is definitely the perfect opportunity to prioritise your health and make positive changes.

Registering chronic medications

If you have a chronic condition, it is essential to register your medications with your medical aid provider (2). This ensures that you have access to the medications you need, when you need them.
Check your medication list: Review your current medications and ensure they are registered with your medical aid provider (3). Also ensure you have a list of pharmacies, at hand, so that in the event that you need to get some top up during the holiday. You have reliable places to quickly find your medication.
Update your information: If you have had any changes to your medications or health status, update your information with your medical aid provider (4).

Registering your chronic medications is a crucial step in managing your health (5). By doing so, you’ll ensure that you have access to the medications you need, when you need them.

Planning for 2026

The start of a new year is a great time to set health goals and make positive changes (6). Here are some tips to help you plan for a healthy 2026:

Schedule a check-up: Book a health check-up with your doctor to discuss your health goals and get a clean bill of health (8). Knowing how much work you need to do in the new year will help you set appropriate goals that you can monitor progress of, either quarterly or after every 6 months.
Set realistic goals: Identify specific, achievable health goals, such as increasing your physical activity or eating a balanced diet (7).
Inspiration is key for you to be motivated to begin, especially after the holiday break, whether it is buying colourful gym wear, adding new songs to your playlist, trying out a new recipe to perfect in 2026 or keeping a journal of your go-to list for fun activities to do.
Say no to perfection and strive to be consistent instead of having pressure to fix everything at once. Working on one area at a time will give you time to grow in that area and enjoy learning a new skill towards the health you desire.

Planning for a healthy new year requires a commitment to making positive changes (9). By setting realistic goals and scheduling a check-up, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your health goals.

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

The holiday season can be a challenging time to stay healthy, but with a few simple tips, you can enjoy the celebrations while keeping your health on track (10).

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin and body functioning properly (11).
Be active: Squeeze in some physical activity, like a morning walk or a fun holiday-themed workout, to help offset extra calories (12).

Conclusion

Staying healthy during the holidays requires a bit of planning and creativity (13). By incorporating physical activity and healthy eating habits, you’ll be able to enjoy the celebrations while keeping your health on track.

Preparing for a healthy new year requires a commitment to making positive changes (14).

References

World Health Organization. (2022). Healthy Living.
Medical Aid Society of Zimbabwe. (2022). Chronic Medication Registration.
Health Insurance Association of Zimbabwe. (2022). Updating Your Health Information.
Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care. (2022). Chronic Disease Management.
American Heart Association. (2022). Managing Chronic Conditions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Setting Health Goals.
World Health Organization. (2022). Goal Setting for Healthy Living.
American Medical Association. (2022). Scheduling a Health Check-Up.
Psychology Today. (2022). Planning for a Healthy New Year.
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Staying Healthy During the Holidays.
American Heart Association. (2022). Staying Hydrated During the Holidays.
American Council on Exercise. (2022). Staying Active During the Holidays.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). Staying Healthy During the Holidays.
National Institute on Aging. (2022). Preparing for a Healthy New Year.