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Tips for Maintaining a
Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy employees equal a more productive and happier workforce, less absenteeism
and disabilities. The links listed below
may serve as a guideline for your start to a healthier workforce!
- Visit the
doctor.
In addition to treating you when you are sick, your doctor can help you
stay healthy. Get regular checkups, and if certain medical conditions run
in your family, make sure you get recommended health screenings.
Visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web site at www.healthierus.gov
for recommended screenings and immunizations, as well as risk factors. - Stop
smoking.
Smoking is the single most important factor in improving the quality of
your health. Smoking is linked to serious diseases such as cancer, heart
disease and stroke. If you are a smoker, stopping should be your first
priority. For more information about quitting smoking, visit the American
Cancer Society's Web site at www.cancer.org/guide_for_quitting_smoking. - Get cancer
screenings regularly.
Ask your doctor how often you should be screened for cancer. You may need
to start screening at an earlier age if you have certain risk factors or a
family history of cancer. Visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org for more
information about cancer screenings. - Watch your
weight.
A little extra weight can put a strain on your heart, increase your blood
pressure and significantly raise the risk of a heart attack. Avoid
high-fat foods and eat plenty of high-fiber, nutrient-rich fruits and
vegetables. For more information on healthy eating, click on the Web site
for The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, at www.mypyramid.gov. - Exercise
regularly.
Keeping physically active is an important part of a healthy
lifestyle. Exercise prevents heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure
and obesity. The American Heart
Association recommends that you exercise 30 to 60 minutes at least four
times a week. For more information, visit www.americanheart.org. - Avoid
excessive drinking.
Drinking in moderation is unlikely to lead to problems, but heavy drinking
can lead to liver damage and other health risks. For more information,
visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Web
site at www.samhsa.gov. - Practice
safety in all that you do.
Drive defensively, wear seatbelts and use safety equipment for
work or play. For more information, visit the National Safety Council at www.nsc.org. - "Watch
your back."
Back injuries and arthritis are among the leading causes of disability.
Gentle stretching before exercise, weight reduction and practicing sound
lifting techniques can help prevent back injuries. For more information,
visit the Cleveland Clinic
Health Information
Center at www.clevelandclinic.org/health. - Take care of
your mental and emotional health.
Maintain contacts with family and friends, and stay active through work,
recreation, and your community. Keep a positive attitude toward life. Do
things that make you happy. Reducing stress reduces the likelihood of some
physical illnesses. For more information, visit Mental Health America
at www.nmha.org.
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