Biohacking for a Healthier New Year: 9 Simple Things to Try in 2025
Here are nine ideas for habits that you could adopt in your life going into the new year.
With the start of a new year comes the tradition of New Year’s resolutions, and perhaps the most common one is to lose weight and get healthy. Over the past several years, I’ve become somewhat of a minor personal “biohacker.” I’ve been experimenting with new health tips, products, and ideas to see what works for me as I observe the changes (and hopefully the benefits).
This week, I want to share a handful of the biohacks I’ve implemented into my daily routine, along with the logic and reasoning behind each. If any of these resonate with you, I’ve included links to the specific products I use (yes, these are Amazon affiliate links—I’m more curious to see if anyone tries them than to make money).
Let me also state before we get started that if you disagree with my conclusions or ideas here I’m totally open to the discussion. I’m simply sharing what I do and why and am totally open to exploring why these things might not be as great as I think.
Let’s dive in. Here are nine healthy habits, products, and ideas you can consider adding to your life in the coming year.
1. Elderberry: Immune System Powerhouse
During the COVID pandemic, I stumbled across the importance of vitamin D for immunity, especially during winter. Lack of sunlight leaves most people deficient in vitamin D, which contributes to higher illness rates in colder months. Elderberry supplements not only provide a natural way to boost vitamin D but also come packed with vitamin C and zinc. This specific product contains hundreds of times the daily recommended value of both vitamins, making it a powerful tool for bolstering your immune system.
Why it works: Vitamin C strengthens your immune system, vitamin D supports immune cell function, and zinc helps combat viruses. You can’t practically overdose on these vitamins, so it’s worth loading up—especially during cold and flu season.
2. Colloidal Silver: Nature’s Antimicrobial
Silver kills bacteria on contact. This isn’t a new concept—it’s why silverware was historically prized for eating and why the term "blue-blooded" came to represent wealth (high exposure to silver can tint skin blue, though don’t worry—that won’t happen at reasonable doses).
I use colloidal silver primarily as an addition to my Neti Pot rinse when I feel a cold or sinus infection coming on. It’s noticeably more effective than just the rinse alone at cleaning out my sinuses. Premixed colloidal silver nasal sprays are also available, though I haven’t tried them myself.
3. Probiotics: Gut Health is Key
Your gut is one of the most important parts of your body, playing a vital role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Taking a quality probiotic can help your body better process food, absorb nutrients, and maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
For me, this has become a non-negotiable part of my routine, especially given the modern diet’s tendency to include processed and nutrient-poor foods.
4. Chewing Gum: Jaw Strength and Dental Health
About 18 months ago, I started chewing hard gum for half an hour each morning as a way to strengthen my jaw and gums. Your jaw is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, it benefits from regular exercise.
Adding a small piece of xylitol gum to the mix has made the habit more enjoyable while providing additional benefits. Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that prevents tooth decay, reduces plaque, and even helps with gingival inflammation. Trident makes lots of good sugar free flavors with Xylitol so I usually include that with the Jawliner hard gum.
Results: My dentist has been impressed with my gum health, I’ve had fewer bleeding gums, and—maybe—it’s even given me a slightly more defined jawline.
5. Super Greens: Nutritional Insurance
A few years ago, I started replacing breakfast on weekdays with a glass of water mixed with super greens powder. This supports intermittent fasting, giving my gut a break while providing a full daily serving of greens and fiber.
More recently, I’ve made this a seven-day habit and switched to mixing the powder with hot water. I learned during a trip to India that cold water can slow digestion, while warm water promotes better absorption of nutrients.
Why it works: Fasting is part of our evolutionary history, and super greens ensure you’re still getting essential vitamins and minerals from a natural “fruits and veggies” state.
6. Ending the Day with Hot Lemon & Honey Water
Most nights, I wind down with a glass of hot water mixed with half a lemon and a spoonful of locally sourced honey. Lemon provides vitamin C and citric acid, which may help burn fat while you sleep. Local honey, a natural superfood, helps combat allergies and promotes melatonin production for better sleep.
Why you should do it: This is probably the easiest hack of all of them. Wouldn’t you like to do something to help you unwind, sleep better, boost your immune system and burn fat while you sleep? Honey is so amazing and a great natural sweetener to keep around the house. Speaking of sweeteners.
7. Avoiding Processed Foods, Seed Oils, Added Sugar, and White Bread
This isn’t so much a single hack as it is a dietary philosophy. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all processed foods, I’ve made a conscious effort to cook with real butter and olive oil, drink whole milk, eat whole grain bread, and avoid diet or low-fat alternatives.
My perspective: Have you ever met someone who drinks Diet Coke and is skinny? Natural fats and sugars, in moderation, are often better than the artificial alternatives marketed as “healthy.” There is also a lot of science that sugar is a leading cause of cancer. Sugar also causes obesity.
8. Exercise: Small Efforts Add Up
Exercise is an area I know I need to focus more on next year. For now, I’ve made small changes that fit into my day. I do 10 push-ups every time I enter my office, and I keep a hand strengthener at my desk for use during phone calls. Gardening and lawn work are also great ways that I stay active.
Next step: I want to incorporate high-intensity, short-burst workouts to improve my cardio and endurance.
9. NMN/NAD+ with Resveratrol: Supporting Healthy Aging
This biohack is a newer addition for me, inspired by reading David Sinclair’s book Lifespan and diving into my own follow-up studies. NMN/NAD+ compounds play a key role in cellular processes like DNA repair, metabolic pathways, and immune cell function. Resveratrol, famously associated with the anti-aging benefits of red wine, enhances these effects.
I was particularly intrigued by these after testing a product containing NMN on my 12-year-old dog. Within a week, I noticed he had more energy, climbed stairs more easily, and seemed more active overall. Maybe it’s the other ingredients in his mobility treats, but the noticeable improvement made me want to give it a shot myself.
My results so far: While I haven’t felt a huge difference yet, it’s only been a month, and these compounds are known for their long-term benefits rather than immediate effects.
Final Thoughts: A Journey, Not a Destination
These nine habits didn’t become part of my routine overnight. I’ve added them gradually over time, and they’ve since become a part of my lifestyle. My bloodwork is great, I feel healthier, and I’ve even noticed some improvements in my waistline.
I’m not looking to live forever or be a fitness fanatic—I just want to improve my quality of life for as long as I can. What about you? Do you have any biohacks or health tips you’ve found success with? Let me know in the comments!