“My tips for getting and staying healthy in 2017 would be to set weekly goals with realistic expectations. Organize and plan ahead to make healthy meal choices, find time for daily exercise, and schedule wellness check-ups with your healthcare provider. Having support from family and friends makes it easier to achieve goals. Therefore, involve the people around you in your efforts to be healthy this year.” –Abby Andrews, CPNP-PC  |  Magnolia Pediatrics

“Don’t use the over-the-counter hand sanitizers. They’re actually counterproductive. And if  your children haven’t started drinking carbonated sodas, don’t let them start. If they have already started, stop it.” –James Bellone MD  |  CORE Health Family Walk-In Clinic

“Simplify life when it gets complicated.” –Christiane Creveling-Benefield, PhD  |  Your Psych 360

“Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise or play to avoid heat-related illness or exhaustion. Avoid overuse injuries by allowing adequate time for rest and recovery–minimum one day off per week and no more hours per week participation than the age of the child.” –Brad Culotta, MD  |  Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic

“Wash your hands. It’s critical.” –Brian Despinasse II, MD  |  Fertile Crescent Pediatrics

“Get to know your skin! Once every month or two, get in your ‘birthday suit’ and look at your moles and spots using a full length mirror and a hand mirror. Don’t forget to look all over, including between your toes. Get a family member or a friend to help check your back and scalp. Moles and spots shouldn’t have a ‘personality.’ If a mole is new or changes in size, shape, color, itches, or is bothersome, please see your dermatologist. Thankfully, the Baton Rouge area is blessed with many excellent board-certified dermatologists. So there are no excuses! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2017.” –Mary Dickerson, MD, FAAD  |  Louisiana Dermatology Associates

“My best advice would be what I told my son this morning–’I’m sorry’ goes a long way when dealing with issues and conflict. Too often, we become defensive, blame, deflect, and deny. This only causes more tension in relationships and personal stress. ‘I’m sorry’ indicates awareness, validates the feelings of others, shoulders blame for our part in conflicts, and issues a desire to move forward on a positive note.” –Donna B. Fargason, MD  |  Family Focus & Associates

“Pollen is difficult to avoid. Keeping windows in the house and car closed during high pollen seasons can be helpful. Showering after outdoor activities can help remove pollen. Taking allergy medications on a daily basis during pollen season can provide better control of symptoms.” –L. Ben Gaudin, MD  |  The Allergy, Asthma, Sinus Center

“My #1 tip for overall health and wellness is to be consistent with daily routines, including following the oral hygiene regimen advised by your dentist/hygienist and being compliant with taking medications as recommended by your healthcare providers. Set goals for reasonable fitness and meal plans that work for you and be consistent with those routines as well. Prevention is key to overall health and wellness. Have routine four to six months dental appointments and annual physicals with your physician to allow your healthcare providers to keep a close eye on your dental and medical needs and hopefully catch small issues before they become big issues.” –Brynn Leroux, DDS  |  Associates in Pediatric Dentistry

“Eat together as a family as often as possible. Involve kids in meal planning and preparation. Include more fresh fruits and vegetables.” –Sandy Reed, MD  |  Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Medical Center

“For good dental health, drink plenty of water, eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups, and limit snacks. If you do snack, eat something healthy like cheese, fruit, or vegetables. Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm to teeth than eating lots of snacks throughout the day because more saliva is released during a meal. Saliva helps wash goods from the mouth and lessens the effect of acids, which can harm teeth or cause cavities.” –Paige Sigsworth, DDS  |  Associates in Pediatric Dentistry