Country music star T. G. Sheppard, based in Nashville, is sharing his top 15 lessons for a healthy life with Fox News Digital ahead of the New Year.

Sheppard is married to Kelly Lang — and they have collaborated on several projects together.

Read on for Sheppard’s best life lessons as 2024 wraps up and 2025 is set to begin.

15 life lessons from country star TG Sheppard

1. Never forget where you came from if you want to get where you want to go in life. 

This is a lesson that Elvis pulled me aside at Graceland one night and shared with me. After hearing it, I applied it to my career. Learn to be humble.

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2. There’s no room for ego in this business. 

The fans of what you do give everything to you — and if you don’t stay accessible, down to earth, true to your music and true to your beliefs, they have the right to take it away from you.

3. Never say “no” to a fan who comes up to compliment you and asks for an autograph. 

Always consider it an honor when someone takes the time to acknowledge you. 

It’s the ultimate compliment.

4. Take the time to stop and smell the roses on your journey toward success. 

“It’s the incredible trip you take that’s the most important.”

After all, success is not a place. It’s the incredible trip you take that’s the most important. 

So be careful not to overlook your journey by taking time to reflect along the way.

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5. Money should not be your barometer for success in your career. 

The best barometer will be the friends that you make. 

Long after the smoke clears and the fans stop screaming your name, your relationships will be the most important thing and comfort you more. Be sure to cherish them.

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6. Never get caught up in believing your own press. 

After all, it’s just press.

As one year ends and another one begins, “Surround yourself with people who know more than you do,” says Sheppard. “They will help you get where you want to go. A great team can help get you much further than going it alone.” (iStock)

7. Never stop dreaming. 

No matter how old you get, it’s never too late in life to be who you might have been. 

Dream big, be big. Dream small, be small.

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8. To be successful, surround yourself with people who know more than you do. 

They will help you get where you want to go. A great team can help get you much further than going it alone.

9. Use your money and influence to improve the quality of life of those around you.

That’s one of my greatest lessons and joys in life. Paying it forward is an incredible feeling, even if it’s to help a total stranger.

“A public ‘thank you’ is usually worth more to someone than money.”

10. Never continue to worry about a problem you have no control over. 

Worry about it once, then let it go — because each time you think about the problem, you’re paying for it over and over again. 

Let go and let God.

11. Take time to think through every decision you make in your career, no matter how small.

Remember that small decisions are sometimes just as important as the big ones.

12. Take time to thank and acknowledge the people who helped pave the way to your success. 

A public “thank you” is usually worth more to someone than money.

13. If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all. 

It’s a small business and everyone in it usually knows or finds out what is said about them.

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14. Never envy someone for their success. 

Be happy for them, as it will help pave the way for your own happiness and success.

15. Don’t forget to be thankful for all that comes your way. 

It will take you higher than you ever imagined.

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Google has long been a go-to tool for many who have health-related questions – and 2024 was no different. 

Americans across the country turned to the search engine for answers to their medical concerns throughout the year.

Soliant Health, a health care job search site based in Georgia, analyzed 2024 Google search data to identify popular questions from each state, as well as a few of the most generally Googled medical queries.

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Below are seven of the top-searched questions, along with answers from Australia-based registered nurse Karen Stockdale.

1. Is bronchitis contagious?

Bronchitis is not contagious, but Stockdale revealed to Soliant that the virus that causes it could be.

Illnesses like colds, influenza and RSV can all lead to bronchitis, which can be contagious for a few days to a week, she said.

2. Is pneumonia contagious?

While there are many types of pneumonia, the most common are either viral or bacterial, according to Stockdale.

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“Bacterial pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria that already live in the upper respiratory tract, and it develops after a cold or the flu,” she said. “These types of pneumonia can be contagious, but are not as easily spread.”

Viral pneumonia can result from other viruses, such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other contagious illnesses.

Both bacterial and viral pneumonia can be contagious, a registered nurse said. (iStock)

“These respiratory conditions are easily spread to others via respiratory droplets in the air, meaning the underlying viral infections are contagious,” the nurse added.

3. What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a person’s own immune system to malfunction and attack healthy tissues, according to Stockdale.

“It is a long-term disease that causes inflammation and pain in many parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and internal organs,” she said.

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Since lupus can impact different parts of the body, symptoms may vary. The disease is most common in women aged 15 to 44, Stockdale noted.

4. How much water should I drink each day?

Americans were curious about how much water they should be drinking.

While hydration is key to good health, the specific amount varies per person depending on gender, weight and other factors, Stockdale said.

The recommended amount of drinking water per day varies per person, the expert said. (iStock)

“For example, a petite female’s intake requirements would vary considerably from a male bodybuilder’s,” she said. “The best way to determine your optimum water intake is to [consider] body weight and activity levels.” 

Stockdale referenced Penn Medicine’s recommendation of drinking 0.5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, depending on the amount of physical activity.

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“If you are not doing strenuous activity, 0.5 ounces per pound should be sufficient,” she said. 

“If you are working outside, playing a sport or are otherwise very active, 1 ounce of water per body weight will be needed to replenish your body.”

5. Is strep throat contagious?

The group of bacteria that causes strep throat, called group A Streptococcus, is “very contagious,” Stockdale cautioned.

Strep throat bacteria is spread through droplets from sneezes and coughs, according to the nurse. (iStock)

These bacteria can spread through droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, as well as from sharing drinks or food.

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“A person with untreated strep throat can be contagious for up to three weeks, infecting others,” the registered nurse warned.

6. How long does the flu last?

The flu can be extremely uncomfortable, and cases can last longer than expected.

The average influenza case lasts five to seven days, according to Stockdale. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, coughing and sore throat. 

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“Those with compromised immune systems may experience a longer period of symptoms,” the nurse said.

The flu can last from five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, coughing and sore throat. (iStock)

7. What causes high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, usually develops “slowly over time,” Stockdale stated.

The condition can be caused by various medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices and genetics.

“People with obesity, diabetes and low levels of physical activity are more likely to develop high blood pressure,” Stockdale said. 

“Some women can also experience high blood pressure during pregnancy.”