August is National Wellness Month, giving us a reminder to take stock of our health, including our habits and our preventive care.

When we think about wellness, it's easy to focus on reacting to illness – but wellness is the active and intentional pursuit of health and wellbeing. Preventive care is key to that pursuit, which is why it’s a key feature of your Transocean benefits. Research consistently shows that routine preventive care, combined with healthy lifestyle habits, can lower the risk of many chronic conditions, improve quality of life, and even increase longevity.

First Step: Prioritize Preventive Care

Preventive healthcare is one of the most effective investments you can make in your future health. Annual wellness visits, recommended screenings, vaccinations, and regular dental and vision exams can help identify potential concerns early, when they're often easier to treat.

If you've been putting off scheduling appointments, National Wellness Month is a great reminder to get them on the calendar.

Next Action: Focus on the Foundations

Many of the habits linked to longer, healthier lives are surprisingly simple, but sometimes we get in our own way at the starting line. Take that first step toward wellness by challenging yourself to replace one bad habit with one good one:

• Move your body regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week – that’s just 20 minutes a day!.
• Add strength training. No need to get an intimidating weight set: Resistance bands, small hand weights (or even soup cans), leg weights or a weighted vest while you walk are easy ways to incorporate strength training into your movement. Aim for twice a week. (Review last month’s My Journey for other strength training ideas!).
• Get enough sleep. Adults generally need seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to support physical and mental health.
• Eat more whole foods. Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of water.
• Manage stress. Chronic stress affects nearly every system in the body. Activities like walking, meditation, deep breathing, reading, or spending time outdoors can help reset your mind.
• Stay connected. Strong social relationships have been associated with better physical health, greater resilience, and even longer life expectancy.

Keep Going: Make Self-Care Sustainable

Self-care doesn't have to involve expensive spa days or elaborate routines. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a lunch break away from your desk, stretching between meetings, calling a friend, reading a book, or going to bed 30 minutes earlier.

The most effective self-care is the kind you'll actually continue doing.

This National Wellness Month, choose one healthy habit you'd like to strengthen and commit to it for the next few weeks. Small improvements add up over time, and every positive choice you make today is an investment in a healthier future.