If your healthy habits fell a little short of your intentions in 2017, the New Year is the perfect time to start fresh. Whether your goal is losing weight, getting fit, reducing stress or being more social, you can focus on proactive steps to help you improve.

Here are seven of the top New Year’s resolutions for active, independent seniors.

Get More Exercise

Even if you have health problems like arthritis or diabetes, you can still get moving. Choose among many different forms of exercise — including yoga, swimming, walking, tai chi, weight lifting and water aerobics — to help you improve your strength, flexibility and aerobic endurance. Before you begin an exercise program, check with your doctor.

Increase and Improve Sleep

It’s a myth that we require less sleep as we age. Older adults need about seven to eight hours a night, just as much as younger people. To make sure you can get to sleep on time, try to avoid taking naps during the day.

Seek out New Experiences

Change can be intimidating, but it also can open doors to new experiences that enhance your emotional, intellectual and spiritual health. To embrace some change in your life, consider joining groups that will expose you to diverse viewpoints, and take a look at movies, blogs and books you might not normally peruse.

Focus on a Healthy Diet

Eating better and losing weight are common New Year’s resolutions, but beefing up your diet can have real effects on your overall health and well-being. To get started, try to add five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, emphasizing richly colored selections.

Reconnect with Old Friends

If you’ve lost touch with someone from your past, the New Year is a wonderful time to rekindle a relationship. Your friend would likely welcome a call, and you can also send an email to get a conversation started. If you live too far away to get together physically, you can enjoy telephone or online chats to stay connected.

Don’t Suffer in Silence

Approximately 20 percent of seniors suffer from anxiety or depression. If you have any of the signs or symptoms — including prolonged feelings of sadness, fatigue, insomnia, reduced appetite or lack of interest in activities you normally enjoy — don’t be afraid to speak up and seek help from loved ones and your medical provider.

Keep Your Brain Active

To help keep your brain functioning at its full potential, make an effort to challenge your cognitive powers by working puzzles, reading, attending lectures, taking classes, or socializing with intellectually stimulating people. You’ll have fun and stay engaged with other people, and you may learn something new.

Try implementing these resolutions to increase your health and happiness. Next year at this time, you can reflect on all the progress you’ve made.