Health and Well-Being: Ways to Embrace Wellness in 2026

Wellness isn’t the finish line. It's a rhythm – one we can all embrace, step by step, with a little more P.E.A.C.E. in the new year.

Wellness doesn't have to mean changing your whole life or being perfect. Most of the time, it's the small choices that matter most. As we step into 2026, think of wellness as a rhythm – something you can return to, no matter what life brings.

One approach I’ve developed through my years of coaching is something I call the P.E.A.C.E. Method: Passion, Encouragement, Accountability, Commitment and Energy. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep wellness clear and doable for anyone looking to live a healthier, more balanced life.

• Passion means finding your “Why”. Maybe it’s the energy to keep up with your kids, the focus to do your best at work or simply wanting to feel stronger in your own body. That reason becomes your anchor when motivation slips.
• Encouragement is about re-training how you think. Some changes may feel tough at first – skipping a late snack, swapping soda for water or moving when you’d rather sit. But soon the trade feels worth it. A snack you once ate every day becomes more enjoyable when it’s occasionally picked. A lazy day on the couch feels even better when your body has been moving all week.
• Accountability helps keep progress steady. It doesn’t have to be strict. Write down one win a day, prep tomorrow’s lunch while the coffee brews, add a dollar to the jar after a challenging task has been done and use that collection after a while as your treat to yourself, or even send a quick text to a friend who’s on a similar path.
• Commitment means picking habits you can keep. A short walk after dinner, stretching before bed or a few minutes of planning for tomorrow can create more change than short bursts of effort that fade out.
• Energy is the reward. With better sleep, steadier moods and more focus, you’ll have the strength for what matters most. Protect it with good choices, but also by knowing when to rest.

Wellness in 2026 isn’t about pressure or perfection. It’s about intention – living in a way where healthy choices bring balance, joy and freedom.

This story was originally published in the PARTNERS newsletter. Visit Moffitt.org/PARTNERS for more stories and to learn more.