Looking to live a long healthy life with minimum risk of cancer? You are at the right place. In this article, we will examine eight healthy behaviors that will lead you towards improving your health, as well as lowering the risk of many cancers, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Take control of your own health, encourage your family and friends to do the same, and you will lead a happier life too. Start with several of these until you develop a healthy lifestyle and utilize more.
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
For many people, it is hard to keep the same weight all the time. If you are overweight, you should focus on not gaining more weight whatsoever. This already benefits your health. The next obvious step is to try to lose extra pounds for the next major health boost. Here are several tips on how to lose weight:
Increase physical activity and movement
Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Prepare smaller portions and eat slower
Limit sitting time in front of the TV and computer
Discard unhealthy snack habits
2. Exercise Regularly
There are not many things better for your body than regular physical activity. Although it is sometimes hard to start a habit and maintain it due to a busy schedule, it is important to squeeze at least 30 minutes of activity per day. Choose activities that you enjoy, like walking, gardening, cycling or dancing. In order to make it a habit, do it at the same time each day. You can also find a work out buddy to help you stay motivated.
source: rd.com
When it comes to your kids, find time to play some active games with them regularly, and go on family walks or bike rides. Encourage your young ones to play outside more than inside, and participate in organized activities and sports like soccer, gymnastics or dancing. In addition, walk with them to school, or wherever.
3. Do not Smoke
This one is a no-brainer. You have heard it countless times in your life. Quitting this bad habit is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. It is hard, but it is not impossible. The key is to keep trying, as it can take six or seven tries before you manage. If you must, talk to a health-care provider, or join a quitting program.
One key detail is not to quit because of your children’s health. Children of smokers tend to smoke themselves. Ban smoking in your house and car. Breathing in smoke other people make is also harmful.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet
Different studies and ads make a huge fuss about eating healthy when in reality, it is simple. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while keeping red meat to a minimum. In addition, it is important to cut back on saturated and trans fats, in favor of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. You should also take a multivitamin with folate each day for some extra nutrition insurance.
A good idea is to make fruits and vegetables a part of your every meal and snack. Instead of red meat, opt for fish, chicken, and beans. With cereals and wheat, go for whole grain, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread. Start using more olive and canola oil for some healthy fats. Most importantly, cut back as much as you can on fast food and snacks and sweets from the store.
5. Drink Alc*hol Only in Moderation
Moderate drinking is actually good for your heart, but it could also potentially increase the risk of cancer. The key here is that if you do not drink, do not find a way or feel that you have to start. If you already drink in moderation, you do not have to stop really. Those who do indulge more need to cut back a bit.
A way to start is to choose nonalcoh*lic beverages during meals and at parties. In addition, try to avoid events that center around alcoh*l consumption for a while. A good trick is not to make alco*ol an important part at family gatherings and celebrations.
6. Protect Yourself from the Sun
It is understandable that warm, pleasant sun is to be enjoyed, but too much exposure could lead to skin cancer and serious melanoma. Skin damage tends to start in the early years of childhood, so make sure to protect your children by steering clear of direct sunlight when it is the strongest, between 10 AM and 4 PM. Wear summer hats, long sleeves, and put on sunscreen with a 15 factor or higher. If you desire artificial tanning, avoid lamps and booths in favor of creams.
source: cancer.ca
7. Protect Yourself from S*xually Transmitted Infections
Also worth protecting against are s*xually transmitted infections, which are sometimes linked to different cancers. Lower the risk and protect yourself here as well. Except not having s*x at all, a committed monogamous relationship with a healthy individual us the best way to remain healthy yourself. Use a condom for every other situation, and always carry your own.
8. Get Screening Tests
To protect yourself further from cancer, various important screening tests can find cancer early, when it is the most treatable. Others can prevent them from developing completely. For example, regular screenings for colorectal cancer alone could save over 30,000 lives each year.
Colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer should be tested for regularly, in order to treat them early if they develop.