It’s the new year, and, contrary to what many magazines may try and tell you, that does not mean it’s time to become a “new you.” You’re pretty great as you are!

But when one year ends and the next begins, it is a good time to reflect on who you are, and who you want to be. Are there old habits that are holding you back? New habits you’d like to form? Ongoing challenges it’s time to address? Activities and experiences that may help you feel better than you do today?

Only you know the answers to those questions! Over holiday break, if you can, set aside some time on your calendar for reflecting on how you feel and how you want to feel. Turn on some music, steep a cup of hot tea, grab some paper and a pen and jot down some ideas and steps you can take just for you, to be the best form of you that you can be.

Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas of healthy habits and activities to consider committing to in 2022. Feel free to pick and choose, and be sure and add your own goals to the list.

Rewind to reduce and relieve stress. In so many ways, it feels like stress has become the undertone of our lives. The 2021 Stress in America survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association, found that nearly one in three adults say they’re so stressed by the pandemic that they struggle to make daily decisions, such as what to eat or what to wear. Stress can take a toll on mental and physical health, and it’s important to learn to cope with it in a healthy way. Commit to doing the activities that help you relieve stress. That could include things such as yoga, meditation, exercise, spending time with friends and finding healthy ways to relax. Make time each week for at least one of those activities. Consider it a gift to yourself in the new year.

Feel better by eating better. After a holiday season filled with cookies, pies and eggnog, green salads start to sound pretty good right around January 1. As much as we may crave fat-laden snacks, such as chips and ice cream, those treats aren’t exactly known for their energizing qualities. When it comes to finding foods that improve your mood, the Cleveland Clinic suggests combining complex carbohydrates from whole foods (think quinoa, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, beans) with proteins (such as turkey, tofu, eggs, unsweetened yogurt, fish, beef and chicken), and also adding in more fruit to your daily consumption. To avoid feeling mentally zapped, Cleveland Clinic suggests avoiding foods like flour-heavy items (bread, crackers and baked goods) and beverages and snacks with added sugar. For a framework, check out a diet such as the Mediterranean diet, which incorporates plant-based food and protein in moderation. If you try it and it helps you to feel better, it’s that much easier to stick with it.

Learn something new. Ever dream of learning Spanish, taking piano lessons or picking up a new hobby, like photography? Turns out, your brain may thank you for it! Research shows that when you learn new skills, you may be improving cognitive functioning and memory. Plus, you’ll get the enjoyment that comes with immersing yourself in the activity, itself. What new pursuit is right for you?

Move more, sit less. Most of us could benefit from improving our level of physical activity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which publishes The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, nearly half of all American adults have one or more preventable chronic diseases, and the majority of those diseases (seven out of 10 of the most common) could be impacted favorably by an increase in exercise. Consider some activities you could incorporate more into your life—walking, biking, swimming, jogging and dancing are all good options, for starters. Enlist a friend or family member to join you and make it part of your routine. It won’t take long for the mental and physical benefits to kick in, and keep you coming back for more.

Do good to feel good. Pop quiz: what is something you can do that health experts say may help lower your blood pressure, increase your self-esteem, diminish depression, decrease stress, improve happiness and satisfaction and may even lead to a longer life? That seeming miracle drug is the simple act of giving. That’s right, by volunteering with a charity, helping a friend in need or donating to a non-profit, you may be helping yourself as much as or even more than you’re helping others. If there’s a downside to that, we can’t figure out what it is!

Commit to more zzzzzs. Sleep is highly underrated. Without enough sleep, our bodies don’t function as well. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, nearly one-quarter of adults aren’t getting enough sleep, and that may put them at higher risk for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Plus, lack of sleep can impact moods, which can impact relationships, work, school and all other aspects of life. When you know just how critical sleep is to health and productivity, it’s easier to strive for the CDC’s recommended amounts, which you can find here.

Check up on your check-ups. Your body takes care of you each and every day. How well are you taking care of your body? Now is a great time to assess all of your health needs. Are you due for an annual physical? Did you get your flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine? Are there aches and pains that don’t seem to be going away on their own? When is the last time you went to the dentist? What about your mental health—have you been struggling with sleep, stress, feeling blue or other changes? Consider your answers to all of the above, and make an appointment with a health care provider to address any concerns. By confronting any potential issues early, you may be able to avoid some larger, more complex health challenges down the line.

As we close the curtain on 2021, and move into the spotlight of 2022, it’s a good time to celebrate new beginnings. The last couple of years have been filled with challenges. And if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s to value our health. This year, make it a goal to become as healthy as you can be, by forming good habits and taking care of your own biggest health advocate: yourself.