A lot of factors play a role in staying healthy. In turn, good health can decrease your risk of developing certain diseases or conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and injuries. Learn what you can do to maintain your and your family’s health.

Path to improved health

Eat healthy

What you eat is closely linked to your health. Balanced nutrition has many benefits. By making healthier food choices, you can prevent or treat some conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A healthy diet can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol, as well.

Get regular exercise

Exercise can help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and colon cancer. It can help treat depression, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. People who exercise also get injured less often. Routine exercise can make you feel better and keep your weight under control. Try to be active for 30 to 60 minutes about 5 times a week. Remember, any amount of exercise is better than none.

Lose weight if you’re overweight

Many Americans are overweight. Carrying too much weight increases your risk for several health conditions. These include: 

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Some cancers
• Gallbladder disease

Being overweight also can lead to weight-related injuries. A common problem is arthritis in the weight-bearing joints, such as your spine, hips, or knees. There are several things you can try to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Protect your skin

Sun exposure is linked to skin cancer. This is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s best to limit your time spent in the sun. Be sure to wear protective clothing and hats when you are outside. Use sunscreen year-round on exposed skin, like your face and hands. It protects your skin and helps prevent skin cancer. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It should be at least an SPF 15. Do not sunbathe or use tanning booths.

Practice safe sex

Safe sex is good for your emotional and physical health. The safest form of sex is between 2 people who only have sex with each other. Use protection to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the most effective form of prevention. Talk to your doctor if you need to be tested for STIs.

Don’t smoke or use tobacco

Smoking and tobacco use are harmful habits. They can cause heart disease and mouth, throat, or lung cancer. They also are leading factors of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The sooner you quit, the better fitness and health.

Limit how much alcohol you drink

Men should have no more than 2 drinks a day. Women should have no more than 1 drink a day. One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Too much alcohol can damage your liver. It can cause some cancers, such as throat, liver, or pancreas cancer. Alcohol abuse also contributes to deaths from car wrecks, murders, and suicides.

Things to consider

In addition to the factors listed above, you should make time for whole body health. Visit your doctors for regular checkups. This includes your primary doctor as well as your dentist and eye doctor. Let your health benefits and preventive care services work for you. Make sure you know what your health and fitness insurance plan involves. Preventive care can detect disease or prevent illness before they start. This includes certain doctor visits and screenings.

You need to make time for breast health. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women. Men can get breast cancer, too. Talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms. You may need to start screening early if you have risk factors, such as family history. One way to detect breast cancer is to do a monthly self-exam.

Women should get routine pap smears as well. Women ages 21 to 65 should get tested every 3 years. This may differ if you have certain conditions or have had your cervix removed.

Ask your doctor about other cancer screenings. Adults should get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45. Your doctor may want to check for other types of cancer. This will depend on your risk factors and family history.

If you smoke more than 30 packs a year (or vape the equivalent), your doctor may recommend a low-dose CT scan (a type of X-ray) to check for cancer.

Your doctor also may recommend a total body skin exam if you are out in the sun a great deal or have a family history of skin cancer.

Keep a list of current medicines you take. You also should stay up to date on shots, including getting an annual flu shot. Adults need a Td booster every 10 years. Your doctor may substitute it with Tdap. This also protects against whooping cough (pertussis). Women who are pregnant need the Tdap vaccine. People who are in close contact with babies should get it as well.

CAUSES…

ADHD, allergies, anxiety, blood pressure, calorie consumption, concussions, depression, diabetes, flu, heart attacks, kidney stones, RSV, and UTI.

Questions to ask your doctor

• How many calories should I eat and how often should I exercise to maintain my current weight?
• Should I have a yearly physical exam?
• What types of preventive care does my insurance cover?
• When should I start getting screened for certain cancers and conditions?
• Which healthy choice is the most important for me?

Eat more whole foods (and less processed food)

Whole foods are foods that haven’t been heavily processed or altered. They don’t contain a lot of added chemicals or artificial ingredients to help them taste good or give them a long shelf-life.

In general, whole foods are healthier for you and provide your body with more vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients than processed foods. Because they are more nutritiousTrusted Source, whole foods give you more energy and possibly lower the risk of many types of health issues.

Processed foods are often unhealthier than whole foods because they tend to be higher in certain ingredients such as:

• added sugars or artificial sweeteners
• salt (sodium)
• trans fats
• preservatives
• artificial colors

Whole foods vs. processed foods

Some examples of whole foods include:

• fruits and vegetables
• nuts and seeds
• legumes (beans and lentils)
• eggs
• meat and poultry
• fish and seafood
• plain yogurt
• olive oil
• whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, steel-cut oatmeal, farro, bulgur)

Some examples of processed foods include:

• commercial baked goods (cakes, pies, pastries, cookies)
• chips and crackers
• processed meats (hot dogs, lunch meat, sausage)
• sugar-sweetened beverages
• boxed rice or pasta dishes
• pre-packaged microwaveable meals
• white bread, white rice
• flavored yogurts, ice cream

Eating too much processed food and not enough whole foods can be harmful to your health. That’s because you won’t be getting enough of the nutrients your body needs. Instead, you’ll be eating higher amounts of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, or other ingredients that don’t provide much nutritional value.

According to scientific research, poor nutrition can increase your risk of:

• weight gain and obesityTrusted Source
• heart disease and strokeTrusted Source
• type 2 diabetesTrusted Source
• some types of cancerTrusted Source, including uterine cancer, breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and colorectal cancer

Make sleep a priority

Sleep is vital for every process in your body. Sleep is a time for your body to repair cells and restore energy. Your brain also performs many essential functions while you’re sleeping, like storing information, removing waste, and strengthening nerve cell connections.

How much sleep you need depends on your age, but for most adults, the CDC recommendsTrusted Source at least 7 or more hours of sleep each night. Children and older adults typically need more sleep.

If you don’t get enough sleep, your body will have a harder time working properly. Sleep deprivation can increase your riskTrusted Source of:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• cardiovascular disease
• metabolic syndrome
• type 2 diabetes
• anxiety, depression, mood changes
• a weakened immune system
• some types of cancer

So, how can you ensure you get enough sleep? Some things that may help include the following:

• Create a quiet, dark, comfortable sleep environment: Use an eye mask or black-out curtains to block light, turn down the thermostat — a temperature between 60°F to 67°F (15.6°C to 9.4°C) — is best for sleeping, and make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable. Use earplugs if you need to block out noise.
• Avoid screen time before bed: Many electronic devices emit blue light that can keep your brain alert, making it harder to fall asleep. Turn off these devices at least an hour before you go to bed.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Instead of watching TV or working on a computer, do something to help you relax. Take a warm bath or shower, try gentle stretches, read a book (not an e-reader), or try meditation or breathing techniques.
• Limit your caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine intake: Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking within 4 hours of going to bed as both substances can negatively impact your sleep. Limit your caffeine intake to the morning hours.
• Try a natural sleep aid: If you find it difficult to switch your mind off at night, try a natural sleep aid like melatonin, valerian root, or glycine.

Takeaway

exercise and better mental wellness

Your health plays a crucial role in how you feel and live each day. If you’re stressed, tired, or not feeling well, it’s not easy to be the best version of yourself and to give those around you the time and attention they need.

In order to thrive and lower your risk of chronic disease and illness, there are many choices you can make today and every day to give yourself the best shot at living a long, active, and healthful life.

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