January 05, 2026
Media Contact: Erin Perkins, erin.perkins@vdh.virginia.gov
New Year, New You:
Rappahannock Area Health District Encourages a New, Healthier You in 2026
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Ring in the New Year and focus on becoming healthier. The Rappahannock Area Health District wants to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions by offering simple, sustainable habits for a year of health and wellness.
“As we begin a new year, I encourage everyone in the Rappahannock region to take small, steady steps toward healthier daily habits,” said Interim Health Director for the Rappahannock Area Health District David C. Rose, MD. “Together, we can make 2026 a year of stronger bodies and calmer minds.”
Here are some tips to help you be healthier in 2026:
- Get Active: Try to move more and sit less. Take the stairs when you can. Find fun ways to be active, like walking or doing yoga. Aim for about 150 minutes of exercise each week.
- Eat Well: Eat more foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Drink lots of water. Eliminate sugar and junk food/limit alcoholic drinks.
- Manage Stress: Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Try mindfulness or meditation. Spend time with friends and family, manage your stress, and maybe write in a journal.
- Schedule Screenings: Visit your doctor and dentist for regular checkups and screenings. Drink enough water and wash your hands often to stay healthy.
- Quit Smoking: Now is a good time to quit bad habits. Smoking and vaping can hurt your body, so it’s best to stop. Quit Now Virginia is a free service that helps people quit smoking, using tobacco, or vaping.
The Rappahannock Area Health District offers a variety of programs to help residents achieve their health goals, including:
- Family Planning – Routine reproductive healthcare, birth control options, services for men, and preconception counseling for individuals and couples preparing for a healthy pregnancy
- Immunizations
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Screenings
- WIC – Nutrition services for Women, Infants and Children who meet eligibility requirements
- Women’s Health – breast and cervical cancer screenings
Rappahannock Area Health District wants you to keep working on your goals to build healthy habits this year. If things don’t always go as planned, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Do things that make you happy and take care of yourself.
Let’s make becoming healthier a priority in 2026! If you have questions, reach out to Rappahannock Area Health District at www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock or 540-899-4794. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
Let’s make health a shared goal!
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