Your health: 10 things to do in January

6. Go snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a simple sport and fairly inexpensive (Mountain Equipment Co-op, for instance, rents showshoes for $12 a day). Plus it's great exercise -- a 140-pound woman will burn more than 450 calories an hour snowshoeing, not to mention sculpt her glutes and legs.

7. Meditate
Devotees -- and, increasingly, scientists -- claim that regular meditation practice can calm your mind, increase joy and lower stress levels. (Click here to read about basic meditation techniques.) Consistency is more important than time commitment, meaning you'll get better results from just five minutes a day than from a weekly half-hour session. If you're not ready for seated meditation, try walking meditation or mindful walking as a way to quiet your thoughts in the midst of everyday life.

8. Watch the sun rise
Not only are sunrises beautiful, but exposing your body to sunlight first thing in the morning helps set your circadian rhythms, so you'll have an easier time getting to sleep at night. And at this time of year, it's not much of a hardship to get up right before dawn. Mindful walking (see above) is a great option for a sunrise stroll -- it'll have you ready for whatever the day brings.

9. Go for probiotics
The bacteria in the body are still not fully understood, but evidence suggests that adding probiotics, or good bacteria, to your diet can help prevent a number of health conditions, such as bladder and vaginal infections. Probiotics are found in some yogurts -- such as Astro BioBest and Danone -- and sauerkraut, as well as in supplement form. Try eating a small bowl of plain yogurt a day (sweeten it with fruit or a bit of jam if you prefer), or talk to your doctor about adding probiotic supplements to your routine.

10. Eat less meat
While going full-on vegetarian may not be right for everyone, evidence is mounting that a diet focused on plant foods is best for your health. One recent Harvard Medical School study of more than 90,000 women found that women who ate more than 1-1/2 servings of red meat a day were almost twice as likely to develop hormone-related breast cancer than those who ate less than three servings a week. Make meat a treat rather than the centre of your meals, and increase your portions of fruits, veggies and whole grains -- your body will thank you.

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