“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.” – Jeremiah 33:6

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la, la la la la!

What about our health and wellness? Can this be the season to be well? ABSOLUTELY!

To be in good health or healthy is described by the World Health Organization as a state of complete physical, mental and social well–being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This means we can be in a good state of health, even when living with a chronic condition, injury or disability. It’s about the big picture.

Additionally, the National Institutes of Health identifies wellness as the act of regularly practicing healthy habits to achieve better overall health outcomes and moves us beyond surviving to thriving. It is necessary for good self–stewardship — for us and for those we care about and who care about us.

As you can see, the two terms are 100% interconnected and, hopefully, you can discern the fact that our wellness practices are directly correlated to the status of our health — whatever that looks like for YOU.

Something to think about.

A Swedish Alzheimer’s Foundation–funded study suggests type 2 diabetes — and even prediabetes — may accelerate brain aging. Diabetes is already a known dementia risk. The good news: regular activity, not smoking and limiting alcohol can help counter it. Since stress spikes blood sugar and clouds decisions, practice stress–management to protect body and mind.

Need some support with establishing, or re–establishing, a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family? Your Concordia Health Plan offers MANY wellness solutions that are meant to meet you right where you are on your health and wellness journey. Visit ConcordiaPlans.org/MyWellness to learn more.

Aside from these available solutions, lean on each other. Work together. Encourage with grace.

Making healthy happen in 2026.

As we move into the New Year, consider where you want to be in six months, one year or five years. Of course, Concordia Plans will be encouraging everyone to start 2026 off with some vital assessments of health and wellness — where we are currently. How about taking these last few weeks of 2025 to schedule a screening exam, such as an eye or dental exam. Or better yet, get that annual physical appointment on the calendar for early 2026. It’s difficult to know where to start if you aren’t sure where you are in comparison to where you want/need to be. In addition to learning what’s going well and where there’s room for some improvement, completing a preventive visit between Jan. 1 and March 31 can earn you an extra 250 Vitality Points on top of the points already associated with these activities.

Log in to Vitality and check out all the activities available. Once you’ve completed at least one of these activities, submit it to Vitality. You’ll see your initial activity points populate in your Points Statement shortly after. Then, once the “Prevention Challenge” concludes at the end of March, you’ll see 250 BONUS points added as well. A link to the blog with more detailed information will be shared in the January “Benefits Connector,” but why wait? Most providers are scheduling NOW for 2026.

Have a plan for 2026.

Plan to use this information to set reasonable, measurable goals for overall better health and wellness for this season and beyond. What’s your WHY? God’s not done with you yet. What plans does He still have in store for you? Or what promises are you still believing for … that you need to be ready for? Also, consider who needs you to be healthy and well to show them how to live healthy and well? You’re the only YOU. Finish 2025 strong and dive into 2026 with confidence and positive expectation for your health and wellness.

Source: A healthy lifestyle may counteract diabetes-associated brain aging | ScienceDaily