7 Ways to Protect Your Health in 2017

Have you made any healthy new year’s resolutions? The good news is that even if you’ve been dragging your feet on getting started–or you’ve already tried and failed–you still have most of the year to live more healthy, safe, and strong.

Check out these tips for healthy habits you can adopt in 2017 that are all about prevention and protection.

• Think about preventative measures and protect yourself from injury or disease by always wearing a helmet or applying sunscreen and insect repellent when your activities call for it.

• Get in for any needed health appointments, vaccinations, or screenings. Your routine health exams and tests will help find problems before they start or become untreatable. They can also help provide a better outcome.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent spreading germs, infection or disease. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when water or soap are unavailable.

• Eat the foods that benefit your body. Most healthy eating plans emphasize a variety of fresh and unprocessed ingredients. A healthy diet will be low in saturated fats, free or nearly free of trans fats, and low in cholesterol, sodium, and added sugar.

• Get active for at least 2½ hours a week to improve your overall health, boost your immunity and help manage stress.

• Don’t smoke. There’s simply nothing beneficial to your health with smoking. If you need help, ask. Many employers and insurance companies now offer free resources to quit.

• Make sure you’re sleeping enough each night. A sleep deficit is associated with many chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

What steps will you take to make this year a healthy one? Be sure to stop by the drug store up for all of your wellness needs, and visit us on Facebook to get more tips to live better the whole year!