Living Well And Healthy, Part 1

Donald W. Kemper, MPH, author of Kaiser Permanente Healthwise Handbook, shares the following information on living a healthy life: 

• Stay up to date with immunization and health screenings.  This helps your immune system recognize and attack diseases before they can cause problems.

• Be physically active.  Along with a positive attitude and a healthful diet, your fitness level plays a major role in how well you feel and how much you enjoy life.  Regular physical activity gives the following benefits:

1. Lowers your risk of premature death and death caused by heart disease.
2. Reduces your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and osteoporosis.
3. Helps lower high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
4. Improves your mood, relieves stress, and promotes a sense of well-being.
5. Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
6. Helps you maintain a healthful body weight.     

          The latest research shows that exercise doesn’t have to be
          vigorous to improve your health.

          Many everyday activities raise your heart rate and – if done 
          regularly – will keep your heart and lungs healthy, make
          your muscles stronger, and improve your flexibility.

• Eat right.  How and what you choose to eat affects your health.  Your diet plays an important role in helping you:

1. Meet your nutritional needs and maintain a healthful weight.
2. Have regular bowel movements.
3. Prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
4. Treat diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

          Another important aspect of your diet is how carefully you 
          prepare and handle foods.  You need good food preparation
          and food handling habits in order to avoid food-borne
          illnesses.

• Maintain a healthful body weight.  Healthy bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Weight is not the only measurement of health.  In fact, your weight may say very little about your health.  No matter what your shape or body size, you can improve your health by eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, and learning to feel good about your body.

(We are most grateful to Kaiser Permanente led by Dr. Francis J. Crosson, M.D., Exec. Director and Donald W. Kemper, M.P.H. for permission to quote from its publication, Healthwise Handbook.  Visit www.kaiserpermanente.org for more information. – J.P.)