Autumn in the Northeast is a time of dramatic change—cooling weather, a respite from the summer’s heat and humidity, the start of the new school year, beautiful colors, and a return to familiar routines at home and at work. This time of transition is also the perfect chance to pause, reflect, and take the opportunity to reconnect with and recommit to living your best life. When you live with authenticity, integrity and in the way that best serves you (and others), the rewards are immeasurable. Here are some easy steps to begin your journey:

* Become your own best health advocate. Make sure you have your annual physical exam, appropriate screening exams (mammogram, pap smear, colonoscopy, etc.), vaccinations, and dental exam and cleaning. Take your medication compliantly as prescribed. Stop smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.

* Exercise consistently. Walk to your destination and ditch the elevator and take the stairs instead. Invest in a bike and use it to explore the city. Join the gym and work out with friends. Practice yoga, jog along the riverbanks, move your body!

* Improve your diet and maintain a healthy weight. Replace fast food and processed snacks with healthful, fresh fruits and vegetables. Cook at home and use portion control. Be adventurous and try new foods. Plant a garden. Most importantly, eat mindfully and with intention.

* Ensure success and avoid failure by setting realistic, attainable goals. Replace “I can’t” with “I can!”

* Do one thing that scares you and reward yourself for embracing your fears. Challenge yourself to redefine your own limits and expand your own possibilities.

* Each year, check at least one thing off your personal “bucket list.” Don’t have a bucket list? Make one—a list of all the things you want to do in your lifetime.

* Set personal boundaries with others and speak your own truth…kindly and respectfully.

* Spend time with friends and family in person. Cell phone calls, texts, emails, Skype, Facebook and other social media tools serve a very real purpose, but they do not compare to quality time spent in the flesh with those we care about. So, call a friend and make a lunch date!

* Keep a journal and record your thoughts, experiences, goals, desires and dreams.

* Meditate and breathe. Set aside as little as 5 minutes daily to tune out the chatter and tune back into yourself and the power of your breath.

* Forgive yourself and give yourself permission to make mistakes. No one’s perfect and no one expects you to be. Forgive others their mistakes, too.

* Get involved with your community.

* Play with your kids and tell them “yes” more often than you tell them “no.”

* Make amends and end a feud. Holding onto anger and grudges serves nothing and no one.

* Make a donation and pay it forward. Give to those in need (money, time, your skills, gently used clothes, food).

* Build good karma and do at least one kind thing daily without expecting anything in return. It feels good to do good.

* Mind your manners. “Please”, “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are too often neglected.

* Engage your mind and heart. Turn off the television and computer and read a book or write a poem or letter. Take a walk. Watch the sun rise. Watch the sun set.

* Give thanks for the abundance that surrounds you and remember to see the good first and foremost

* Start each day by setting an intention.

* End each day by making an honest assessment. Remember, tomorrow gives you nothing but new opportunities.

* Enjoy your best life as you live in alignment with your most authentic and heart-centered self.

Jennifer Svahn, MD, FACS, is a Vascular Surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center and a Registered Yoga Teacher.