Alliance to Make US Healthiest
Healthiest Nation in a Healthier World
Top 9 for 2009
Healthiest Nation Resolutions for a Healthier You!
- Get moving more! Walk, jog, skate, lift, push, pull, and stretch. Get creative: walk your dog more often, sign–up for dance lessons with your spouse or friends, or ride your bike to the supermarket. Take your kids to the park during the weekends and join them on the jungle gym. Just make sure to get your body moving at least 150 minutes each week, at least 10 minutes at a time.
- Become a history buff. Find out more about your family′s health history. Knowing what diseases run in your family can keep you from developing them later in life. Put prevention to work for you to ensure your best health.
- Avoid unnecessary illness. Nobody enjoys the flu or chicken pox! Take advantage of existing and new immunizations now available. Get boosters when needed. Keep a record of your family′s immunizations. It′s a safe, easy way to keep yourself and those around you disease–free! And remember to wash your hands! Keeping hands clean is a great way to keep yourself and those around you well.
- Take a breath of fresh air. Stop smoking, or help someone you care about kick the habit. Remember, you don′t have to go it alone! There are plenty of ways to quit with the love and support of your friends and family and newer quit options are available. The benefits of quitting are great; it′s the best gift you could give yourself or anyone in the New Year.
- Fruits and veggies:more does matter! Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables
is critical for good health. Most people should eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables each day.To make it easy, sneak a banana in your bag when you are on the go, or make a fruit salad as a healthy snack for the whole family. Don′t forget your veggies… there are great and easy recipes to make them taste good!
- Get tested! Get the recommended health screenings for common health conditions. Heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, depression, and anxiety can be detected early and then actively managed for better health outcomes––and longer life!
- Be earth friendly and energy efficient. Take small steps to make your environment healthier. Telework, recycle, or winterize your home. Carpool, bike, or walk whenever you can. These are simple ways to make our environment cleaner, but they also help our sense of well–being. Remember, your health also depends on your surroundings!
- Keep in touch! Connect or stay connected with friends, family and loved ones. People with strong social ties lead healthier lives . What better way to start the New Year than by giving your long–lost buddies a call or sending them a letter? And if you think you don′t have enough time, just go online…social networks are a great way to keep in touch on the go and positively interact with others.
- Watch your step! Try to prevent injury—at home, while traveling, and at work! No one wants to start the New Year with a preventable injury. Stay alert to your surroundings, drive safely, routinely check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, childproof your cabinets and home; it′s the little things that count!
