Eat Healthy
Eating healthy has many benefits. You can prevent afflictions like heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, diabetes, and damage to your arteries if you choose to watch the things you eat every day. You also lower your cholesterol and lose weight, both of which help you live a longer, fuller life.
Lose Weight If You’re Overweight
If you are overweight, you increase your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, gallbladder disease, and arthritis in the weight-bearing joints. To lose weight and prevent these health conditions, choose a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat, and combine it with a regular exercise regimen.
Exercise
Exercise can help you steer clear of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression. It can also help prevent colon cancer, stroke, and back injury.
You’ll feel better and keep your weight under control if you exercise regularly. A goal for exercise should be for 30 to 60 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week, but remember that any amount of exercise is better than none.
Don’t Sunbathe or Use Tanning Booths
Sun exposure is linked to skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s best to limit sun exposure and wear protective clothing and hats when you are outside.
Sunscreen is also very important. It protects your skin and will help prevent skin cancer. Make sure you use sunscreen on exposed skin (such as your face and hands) year-round. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and blocks both UVA and UVB light.
Practice Safe Sex
The safest sex is between 2 people who are only having sex with each other, don’t have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or share needles to inject drugs. For more information on pregnancy prevention, speak with your doctor.
Keep Your Shots Up to Date
Adults need a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years. Your doctor may substitute 1 Td booster with TDAP, which also protects you against pertussis (whooping cough). If you are pregnant and have not had a TDAP shot before, you should be vaccinated during the third trimester of your pregnancy or late in the second trimester.
Adults and teens who are in close contact with babies younger than 12 months and who have not yet received a TDAP shot should get vaccinated as well. Adults should also get a flu vaccine each year. Ask your doctor if you need other shots or vaccines, such as the pneumonia vaccine.