Current, Feature
A Wealth of Ways to Make 2026 Your Healthiest Year Yet!
By My Mo-Town Staff
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
The new year can bring a new resolve to improve your health. If feeling better is at the top of your 2026 to-do list, we have some suggestions—everything from saunas to comedy shows—that are both backed by science and close to home.
1. Eat local. Once picked, produce loses nutrients over time, and the risk of contamination increases the more it’s handled and transported. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables addresses both points and reduces carbon emissions tied to long-distance shipping, too. Grab fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables—and support local farmers!— at the Grow It Green Morristown winter market. Find everything from organic microgreens and vegetables to artisan sourdough and homemade jams. Sundays through April from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Covent Train Station in Morris Township. For a list of weekly vendors, visit www.growitgreenmorristown.org.
2. Join a fitness club. Each Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., join fitness enthusiasts of all levels for the weekly FRVD (Forever Ready Versus Delayed) Run meetup on
the Green. When you join this part social club, part run/walk group, you’ll combat the winter blues with a one-two punch: meeting new friends and getting your heart pumping. For more information, follow @frvd.run on Instagram.
3. Schedule annual exams. Many serious medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, can be present without causing noticeable symptoms. Seeing your primary care provider regularly helps to ensure that such conditions will be caught early, when treatment has the greatest impact. The same is true of cancers—catching them early usually leads to a better outcome. Your primary care provider can recommend the best screening and exam schedule for you based on your current health and your personal and family medical histories. Stay on top of it all by getting those recommended screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, on the calendar now.
4. Eat less red meat. The American Heart Association reports that consuming less meat decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and more. Many of our local restaurants offer excellent meat-free choices. If you’re vegan curious, follow @morristownvegangirl on Instagram for local vegan meal inspiration. Ready to try vegan foods at home? Head to the Feasty Vegan market on South Street and scoop up vegan charcuterie, fried “chicken,” and more.
5. Hit the trails. Counteract the gray days of winter with the rush of feel-good brain chemicals that exercise provides. Morristown National Historical Park boasts 27 miles of scenic hiking trails on 5,000 acres. In Morris Township, try Loantaka Brook Reservation, which offers 10 miles of trails on 850 acres.
6. Sip matcha. This bright green powder made from green tea leaves contains antioxidants and other good-for-you natural chemicals that preliminary studies show could have anti-inflammatory effects and help lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Find matcha on menus all over town, including The Meltique, LOKL Café, and General Coffee Co.
7. Laugh it up. Data is mounting that laughter has some serious health benefits, like reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving your immune system. Head to Colonial Comedy (39 Maple Ave.) on the second Friday of each month to see for yourself if laughter really is the best medicine. Buy tickets at www.colonialcomedy.com.
8. Slather on sunscreen. Yes, even in the winter! A recent study from the American Academy of Dermatology found only 13% of Americans use sun protection when going on walks or hikes during the winter. This tip is especially important when there’s snow on the ground, as sun reflects off its bright white surface, increasing exposure. Sunscreens are, of course, widely available at drug and grocery stores. For personalized advice from beauty experts, check out Bluemercury on South Street.
9. Read more books. Researchers at Yale University School of Public Health reviewed data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study and found that people age 50 or older who regularly read books had a 20% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years compared with people who didn’t read books. That difference held true regardless of other factors, including race, education, state of health, wealth, marital status, and depression. Check out some titles at the Morristown & Morris Township Library and add some years to your life! For books related to health and wellness, see the library’s recommendations in this month’s Book Nook column.
10. Try a sauna. According to research published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the dry heat of a sauna can reduce stress, calm anxiety, and perhaps even improve cardiovascular health. Morristown is rich with sauna options, including Drip Sauna & Plunge Studio, Chambers Center for Well-Being, and—coming soon—SweatHouz.
11. Lift weights. Regular strength training can help strengthen your bones and manage your weight. According to a study published in the journal Biology in October 2024, lifting for 90 minutes or more per week can even extend your life up to four years. Consider hiring a personal trainer who works at one of Morristown’s many gyms to learn correct form and get help designing a fitness plan tailored just for you.
12. Get involved. Turns out, helping others can be a great way to also help yourself. Research shows that getting involved in your community can improve your mental health, especially at midlife. Morristown boasts myriad volunteer opportunities—from raising puppies for The Seeing Eye or distributing groceries at Table of Hope’s weekly food pantry to providing non-clinical support at Morristown Medical Center.
The new year can bring a new resolve to improve your health. If feeling better is at the top of your 2026 to-do list, we have some suggestions—everything from saunas to comedy shows—that are both backed by science and close to home.
1. Eat local. Once picked, produce loses nutrients over time, and the risk of contamination increases the more it’s handled and transported. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables addresses both points and reduces carbon emissions tied to long-distance shipping, too. Grab fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables—and support local farmers!— at the Grow It Green Morristown winter market. Find everything from organic microgreens and vegetables to artisan sourdough and homemade jams. Sundays through April from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Covent Train Station in Morris Township. For a list of weekly vendors, visit www.growitgreenmorristown.org.
2. Join a fitness club. Each Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., join fitness enthusiasts of all levels for the weekly FRVD (Forever Ready Versus Delayed) Run meetup on the Green. When you join this part social club, part run/walk group, you’ll combat the winter blues with a one-two punch: meeting new friends and getting your heart pumping. For more information, follow @frvd.run on Instagram.
3. Schedule annual exams. Many serious medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, can be present without causing noticeable symptoms. Seeing your primary care provider regularly helps to ensure that such conditions will be caught early, when treatment has the greatest impact. The same is true of cancers—catching them early usually leads to a better outcome. Your primary care provider can recommend the best screening and exam schedule for you based on your current health and your personal and family medical histories. Stay on top of it all by getting those recommended screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, on the calendar now.
4. Eat less red meat. The American Heart Association reports that consuming less meat decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and more. Many of our local restaurants offer excellent meat-free choices. If you’re vegan curious, follow @morristownvegangirl on Instagram for local vegan meal inspiration. Ready to try vegan foods at home? Head to the Feasty Vegan market on South Street and scoop up vegan charcuterie, fried “chicken,” and more.
5. Hit the trails. Counteract the gray days of winter with the rush of feel-good brain chemicals that exercise provides. Morristown National Historical Park boasts 27 miles of scenic hiking trails on 5,000 acres. In Morris Township, try Loantaka Brook Reservation, which offers 10 miles of trails on 850 acres.
6. Sip matcha. This bright green powder made from green tea leaves contains antioxidants and other good-for-you natural chemicals that preliminary studies show could have anti-inflammatory effects and help lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Find matcha on menus all over town, including The Meltique, LOKL Café, and General Coffee Co.
7. Laugh it up. Data is mounting that laughter has some serious health benefits, like reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving your immune system. Head to Colonial Comedy (39 Maple Ave.) on the second Friday of each month to see for yourself if laughter really is the best medicine. Buy tickets at www.colonialcomedy.com.
8. Slather on sunscreen. Yes, even in the winter! A recent study from the American Academy of Dermatology found only 13% of Americans use sun protection when going on walks or hikes during the winter. This tip is especially important when there’s snow on the ground, as sun reflects off its bright white surface, increasing exposure. Sunscreens are, of course, widely available at drug and grocery stores. For personalized advice from beauty experts, check out Bluemercury on South Street.
9. Read more books. Researchers at Yale University School of Public Health reviewed data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study and found that people age 50 or older who regularly read books had a 20% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years compared with people who didn’t read books. That difference held true regardless of other factors, including race, education, state of health, wealth, marital status, and depression. Check out some titles at the Morristown & Morris Township Library and add some years to your life! For books related to health and wellness, see the library’s recommendations in this month’s Book Nook column.
10. Try a sauna. According to research published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the dry heat of a sauna can reduce stress, calm anxiety, and perhaps even improve cardiovascular health. Morristown is rich with sauna options, including Drip Sauna & Plunge Studio, Chambers Center for Well-Being, and—coming soon—SweatHouz.
11. Lift weights. Regular strength training can help strengthen your bones and manage your weight. According to a study published in the journal Biology in October 2024, lifting for 90 minutes or more per week can even extend your life up to four years. Consider hiring a personal trainer who works at one of Morristown’s many gyms to learn correct form and get help designing a fitness plan tailored just for you.
12. Get involved. Turns out, helping others can be a great way to also help yourself. Research shows that getting involved in your community can improve your mental health, especially at midlife. Morristown boasts myriad volunteer opportunities—from raising puppies for The Seeing Eye or distributing groceries at Table of Hope’s weekly food pantry to providing non-clinical support at Morristown Medical Center.