The health habits these experts will be following in 2026
A psychologist, doctor and exercise physiologist share the habits to improve body and mind that they want to focus on in the year ahead.
To reflect means to grow. It allows us to look back on our experiences, and mistakes, so we can learn and understand how we might do things differently next time.
For six years now, we have asked three Australians to share a health habit they want to focus on and reflect on how they might cultivate it and deal with setbacks.
Here, a psychologist, doctor and exercise physiologist reveal what habit they’ve been struggling with and how they plan to make it work this year.
Dr Emily Musgrove, Clinical Psychologist and author of Unstuck
Dr Emily Musgrove.
As I think about 2026, the habit I want to lean into is the practice of acceptance. Looking back on 2025, I realised that some of the challenges I faced were made more difficult by my internal reactions to them. For example, I might catch myself replaying events, overthinking or rehearsing imaginary conversations. My mind would come up with a whole host of stories, like “why can’t this just be easier?” or “why don’t they understand me?”
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From my work as a psychologist, I know that it’s these internal reactions that often prolong our suffering, or at times, even make it bigger. We get caught in a mental tug-of-war with reality, not wanting our experience to be here, even though we can’t do anything to change it. And that struggle is exhausting.
So, this year, my intention is to bring an attitude of acceptance to challenging moments.
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up, agreeing with everything, or condoning poor behaviour. It simply means acknowledging things as they are so we can respond with more clarity and less judgment.
To help me practise this, I’m using a few simple steps:
- Pausing at the end of the day and taking a few slow, grounding breaths.
- Asking, “What am I noticing right now?” Naming what’s here. That is, “I’m noticing here is anger,” or “I’m noticing my mind racing.”
- Checking in gently: “What am I holding on to? Where do I feel it in my body?”
- Softening on the out breath, letting go of any physical tightening or bracing.
- Asking what I truly need. A hug? Rest? Movement? Support? Or is it time for problem-solving or a small values-led action?
We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but with practice, we can choose how we respond. By doing these small things, I’m hoping to meet 2026 with more ease and a little more wisdom. It’s a subtle shift, but a powerful one.
