My SD Moms This is a great article from Kaiser Permanente (kp.org)
Your health matters — to you and your family. You can’t give your loved ones the care and attention they need if you don’t take care of yourself, too. But taking care of yourself and your family doesn’t have to be hard, or take a lot of time.
Get in touch with your healthier side:
Good health isn’t just about not getting sick. We want to keep you healthy, and if you need to make healthy changes, we’ve got resources proven to help you reach your goals.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Taking care of yourself throughout your life will help you stay healthier at every age. If you’re of childbearing age (15-49) and want children or are not using birth control, keeping your body healthy is especially important. Half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and you’re more likely to have an easier pregnancy and a healthy baby if you’re taking care of yourself.
- Eat your greens, especially if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. Reduce your chance of having a baby with certain birth defects by eating foods with folic acid, like dark-green, leafy vegetables, beans, and fortified, whole-grain cereals and take a multivitamin with 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) folic acid. Learn more ways to prepare your body for pregnancy.
Take prevention seriously. Get all health screenings and tests and pay attention to your eye health to detect early signs of disease. And immunizations? They’re not just for kids, so make sure you stay up-to-date. Don’t worry, we’ll help you keep on top of your screenings and immunizations.
Get moving. Exercise — it’s good for everything! Being physically active for 30 minutes or more on most days does a lot to boost your health.
Take it off, keep it off. If you’re overweight, even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference in your health and how you feel.
Nourish yourself. Make smart, delicious food choices to boost your energy and your manage weight.
- Calcium counts. Calcium and vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
Find time to unwind
Sometimes the biggest threats to your health aren’t too much chocolate and too little exercise. It’s the stress and emotional issues that build up when you’re busy and feel pulled in different directions by work, family, and other responsibilities.
Not dealing with stress can cause or worsen physical conditions. Try these healthy strategies for coping with life’s ups and downs.
Ready, set, relax. HealthMedia® RelaxTM gives you personalized strategies for beating stress.
Get some Zs. Getting 7 or more hours of sleep every night can boost your energy and focus. Trouble sleeping? Try OvercomingTM Insomnia.
Say no to bad habits
Breathe easier. Smoking increases your risk of lung cancer and heart disease — and it can cause wrinkles, too. Find out how to quit smoking.
Drink responsibly. Limit your drinking to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or a 1 1/2 ounce shot of hard liquor a day or less. If drinking is causing problems for you or others, find mental health services near you.
Protect yourself – at all times
- practice safe sex to avoid HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
- wear a helmet on a bike, motorcycle, or skateboard
- buckle up every time you drive, and keeping your cool behind the wheel.
- get a flu shot and wash your hands during cold and flu season
- protect your skin. Sunscreen is one of the most important beauty rituals because it can protect your skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Everyone deserves a safe relationship. If you’re being abused, hurt, or threatened, talk with your doctor or another person you can trust or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
