Everyone gave real good tips and I have a few more new player tips plus one for the whole game and it is this:

Always have the "Rested" bonus on ALL the time. It gives you faster regen on health and stamina as well as a hidden 50% bonus on experience. You get it when near a fire. It lasts longer if other things add to your "comfort level" like shelter, a bed and a deer skin rug among other things. Even when you are "out and about" and it wears off merely plop down a campfire (finding or making shelter if it is raining), clear the immediate area of monsters then sit (press "X") near the fire. About 20 seconds later you will get another 8 minutes of the buff.

Other new player tips:

*Don't go out at night, you will get the "Cold" debuff, it reduces your stamina/health/ regen. Monsters are also more numerous and harder to defeat, higher hit points, possibly.
*Try to avoid getting wet, it also debuffs your stam/health regen. If you do get wet 5 stone and 2 wood will get you a campfire that quickly dries you out.

Cold, wet and at night can get you dead quickly if you are not careful...

Happy Hunting!