Here are some common-sense principles for staying healthy.

Eat Well

Fill your plate with a colorful variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.  These are low calorie foods filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.  Avoid red and processed meat.  Eat a greater amount of protein-rich foods such as seafood, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, nuts and seeds, and lean meats such as poultry.  Decrease your intake of refined sugars. Eating this way will increase your energy and lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Exercise Often

Aim for at least 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise everyday.  This will increase your energy, help you manage stress, improve your sleep, and lower your risk of developing heart disease, dementia, and mood disorders.

Prioritize your relationships with friends and family

In our fast-paced world in which there is always more to do, it is easy to neglect spending time with our loved ones.  But a wealth of scientific research shows that people are most fulfilled when they are engaged in deep, nurturing relationships.  Conversely, chronic loneliness has toxic health effects.  A fascinating article linked here speaks to this point.   So make time for your most important relationships, even if that sometimes means being less productive.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking markedly increases your risk of coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancers of the oropharynx, lung, and bladder.

Get Your Regular Check-Ups

Check with your doctor to get your blood pressure and cholesterol measured and to make sure you are up to date on health maintenance measures such as vaccines and cancer screening.