Experts and Public Health Agencies Promote Holistic New Year Health Resolutions in Germany

As the New Year begins, health experts and public health institutions in Germany emphasize adopting comprehensive lifestyle changes to improve long-term health outcomes. The Lifestyle Medicine community, led by international experts including Dr. Katharina Wirnitzer from the University of Innsbruck, advocates the HEAL approach, focusing on Healthy Eating and Active Living as key strategies to address the global health crisis. This consensus report, involving 64 experts from around the world, presents a 101-point plan highlighting six critical factors for overall wellness: diet, physical activity, stress management, social relationships, sleep, and avoidance of harmful substances. The report stresses that preventive, integrative, and holistic strategies are necessary over solely medical interventions, promoting empowerment especially among children and adolescents through school-based education initiatives.

Complementing this approach, the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) in Germany advises citizens to make specific New Year resolutions under four main objectives: increasing physical activity, reducing media consumption, lowering alcohol intake, and quitting smoking. Exercise is highlighted as vital for preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, while also improving mental health. To mitigate the harmful effects of excessive screen time, BIÖG recommends a "7-Day Digital Detox" challenge.

The agency also encourages participation in "Dry January" to give the body a break from alcohol, offering self-assessment tools to monitor drinking habits. Smoking cessation remains a priority with smoking responsible for approximately 130,000 deaths annually in Germany. BIÖG provides resources for preparing smoke-free environments, seeking community support, and understanding personal triggers to facilitate quitting.

Health experts underline the importance of coordinated efforts among educators, health professionals, policymakers, and organizations to implement these preventive lifestyle changes. This combined focus on education, empowerment, and sustainable habits aims to reduce the ultimate healthcare burden and improve quality of life for individuals and society.