New year, new you; right? But let’s be honest, the “new year, new me” mentality can feel impossible when resources are limited, schedules are unpredictable, or trying to invest in yourself feels expensive. That’s where this checklist comes in. Curated with military families and service members in mind, it highlights fitness, nutrition, mental health, sleep, and habit-building tools. Whatever your goals are for 2026, it’s worth acknowledging that your health matters.
Related: The similarity between physical and financial fitness
For service members and their families, well-being isn’t a luxury, it’s a form of readiness. Deployments, PCS moves, training cycles, and solo parenting can take a toll on physical and mental health. Unlike civilian life, our community also contends with constant changes to gyms, health-care providers, and support systems. Using military-specific programs and discounts helps remove barriers and makes it easier to stick to your goals, no matter where you are stationed.
Fitness: Staying Active, Anywhere, Anytime
If it’s free, take advantage! On-base gyms and MWR group classes are fantastic perks. From yoga and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to aquatic centers, many installations provide free or low-cost access to equipment and classes.
For those looking off-base, national gym chains like 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and, yes, even your local YMCA offer military discounts (varying by location). Virtual and at-home fitness programs also give flexibility, no matter where life takes you. Brands like Peloton, Nike Training, Strava, SHRED, Echelon, and MTNTough make it easy to stay consistent while traveling, during deployments, or between duty stations. Group classes like Pure Barre, CorePower Yoga, CrossFit, F45, Cycle Bar and SoulCycle also offer military discounts.
Nutrition: Fuel for Life, Duty, and Fitness
Nutrition supports both your physical goals and the unpredictable pace of military life. Meal kits like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, Factor, and EveryPlate make healthy eating simple while reducing decision fatigue during PCS moves, training cycles, or long duty days. Even small nutritional adjustments can support bigger physical and mental performance goals.
Supplements can also help maintain immunity, energy, gut and bone health, and overall wellness. Brands like Bare Performance Nutrition, GNC, Steel Supplements, Thorne, Ancestral Supplements, and Millecor offer military discounts to make self-care more accessible.
Mental and Emotional Wellness: Strength Starts Within
Being tough doesn’t mean you don’t need support. Mental and emotional health is key to resilience, especially in military life. Platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, Telemynd, Charlie Health, and Cohen Veterans Network provide therapy tailored for service members, spouses, and veterans.
Related: 5 tips to maintain a healthy mind: Supporting mental health during military life
For on-the-go support, apps like Headspace and Calm can guide meditation, mindfulness, and stress management—small daily practices that add up to a big impact. Prioritizing your mental health ensures you’re ready to face the ups and downs of military life with clarity and confidence.
Sleep and Habit-Building: Small Changes, Big Impact
Sleep and daily habits are the foundation for readiness and well-being. Good sleep improves energy and focus; that’s crucial when schedules are unpredictable. Brands like Chilipad, Casper, Helix, Nest Bedding, Sleep Number, Coop, and Purple offer military discounts to help you rest better, even while you tackle deployments or late-night schedules due to shift changes.
Building habits doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Tracking routines and goals can make a real difference. Tools like the Greatness habit tracker, digital planners, or paper planners from Happy Planner, Day Designer, and Etsy keep you accountable, organized, and motivated, no matter where you are stationed. Remember that creating just one new habit at a time can set the tone for bigger wins across the year. Did you know it can take as little as 18 days to form a new habit?
Take Action and Thrive in 2026
Military life is unpredictable, but your well-being doesn’t have to be. From workouts to sleep, nutrition to mental health, these military perks and discounts provide tools to help you stay on top of your goals wherever you are.
Your health and wellness matter—for you, your family, and your mission. Take advantage of the resources available, invest in yourself, and create a plan that supports your body, mind, and routines this year. The perks are here, and the tools are ready; get ready to thrive this year!
