Often it’s the small steps that bring about big changes, especially when it comes to improving your health and wellness. If you’re ready to develop some healthier habits, these 50 tips (doable in the next 50 days) are a great place to start:

1.) Schedule a wellness check – and stick to it. Find a family doctor or OB/GYN.

2.) Have an eye exam. While you’re having your vision checked, ask the doctor about screenings for glaucoma and other eye diseases. Find an opthamologist.

3.) Challenge yourself to eat at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal, every day for a week. Then try it again the next week.

4.) Schedule a dental exam or cleaning – and stick to it.

5.)Set a bold health or wellness goal for next year. It can be anything from “take a vacation” to “run a half marathon” to “hike a state park” to “read a bucket list of great books”. Once you set your goal, create a realistic plan about how you’ll go about achieving it and then get to work.

6.) Challenge yourself to drink at least two glasses of water each day.

7.) Give up soft drinks – and opt for a healthier beverage option – at least one day a week.

8.) Go an entire week without eating fast food. See if you can do it again the next week.

9.) Take a group fitness class – Zumba, Indoor Cycling, and Cardio Dance are just a few good options to choose from.

10.) Ask your doctor about recommended vaccines – and then be sure to get them.

11.) Break up with the elevator. Taking the stairs whenever possible is another great way to work in a mini-workout without taking time out of your schedule.

12.) If you work in an office, get up every 90 minutes and stretch, then take a brisk walk around the building.

13.) Take a CPR or First Aid class.

14.) Invest in a good pair of supportive walking shoes.

15.) Pack a nutritious lunch to bring to work every single day for a week. Then try it again another week.

16.) Go for a brisk 20-minute walk every day for one week. Then try it again the next week.

17.) Challenge yourself to go to bed at the same time every night for a week, at an hour that allows you to get adequate rest. Then try it again the next week.

18.) Ask your doctor about recommended screenings: Mammograms, prostate checks, colonoscopies, skin cancer screenings, and others.

19.) Make a list of your current medications and store it with your medical documents. Be sure to note the dosage and strength (the amount you take and how often you take it).

20.) Ask your doctor about cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

21.) If you work in an office, get up every 90 minutes and stretch, then take a brisk walk around the building.

22.) Ditch your devices at least one hour before bedtime – put your phone and tablet in the other room. If you need help winding down, listen to soothing music or read a favorite book instead.

23.) Set a quit date to stop smoking – and stick to it.

24.) If you’re not already doing it, start brushing and flossing your teeth every night before bed.

25.) Get a handle on your family medical history. Call a parent or other family member and ask about chronic illnesses and causes of death for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles on all sides of your family tree.

26.) Dealing with a chronic illness or recovery? Join a support group and get wisdom, understanding and advice from others dealing with the same challenges.

27.) Know your risks for common health conditions. Take an online risk test and then discuss the results with your doctor.

28.) Wash your hands regularly, using plenty of soap and warm water. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice to make sure you’re doing it long enough.

29.) Set aside time each weekend for food shopping – and to prep some nutritious food items. You can pre-chop vegetables for salads and side dishes, package up healthy lunches, slice up fruit for snacks. Planning ahead will help you avoid making “convenient” but less healthy choices during the week when time is short.

30.) Change up your workout routine for two weeks. If you always walk a certain route, try another one even if you have to drive a bit to get there. If you take Zumba classes each week, try Pilates or Indoor Cycling instead.

You can get more health and wellness tips – plus a wonderful place to work out – when you become a member of the Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center.