Inspiration for a Healthy New Year

Many popular New Year's resolutions focus on how to improve our health. That is good news, considering that being healthy provides us protection against disease and injury, as well as strength and energy to help us have a good quality of life.

5 Healthy Tips for 2013

Whatever your situation, see your health care provider and find out how you can live a safer and healthier life. Here are a few general tips for a safe and healthy life:

• Find health resources to help you achieve your New Year's goals.

• Protect yourself from injury or disease by wearing a helmet, sunscreen, or insect repellent when necessary.

• Make an appointment for a check-up, vaccination, or screening. Know where to go for care if you do not have health insurance.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Learn health tips that take 5 minutes or less.

Healthy You

• Make healthy food choices. Grab a healthy snack such as fruit, nuts, or low-fat cheese.
• Be active. Try simple things such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week.
• Find out more about the benefits of regular physical activity . Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Learn what counts as aerobic exercise .
• Be smoke-free. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free counseling. Need inspiration? Check out Tips from Former Smokers .
• Get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.

Learn more about Healthy Living.

Healthy Family

• Learn how to be healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.
• Reduce auto-related injuries by using seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats that are appropriate for your child's age and weight.
• Learn positive parenting tips to keep teens safe on the road.
• Develop and enforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors using electronic media.
• Lower the risk of foodborne illness as you prepare meals for your family.
• Serve healthy meals and snacks.
• Encourage and support physical activity.
• Gather and share family health history.
• Be a healthy caregiver.
• Encourage family members to get check-ups and screenings. Make sure they know where to go for care if they do not have health insurance.
• Get pets vaccinated and keep pets healthy.
• Add the 5 Minutes or Less for Health widget to your website to get new health tips each week.

Learn more about Family Health and Kids' Health, and visit the Parent Portal.

 

Adapted from: http://www.cdc.gov/features/healthynewyear/