A Checklist for Staying Healthy

Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on May 14, 2023
1 min read

Trying to pump up your healthy habits? Try these steps to start -- or keep -- living a healthy life!

  • Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
  • Eat in moderation.
  • If you need to lose weight, track what you eat with a food diary.
  • Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. Sing "Happy Birthday" twice and you'll have scrubbed long enough.
  • Get a flu shot every year
  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Need a boost in quitting? Ask your doctor about products or programs that can help
  • Drink alcohol only in moderation. That's no more than one drink a day for women, two for men.
  • Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
  • Exercise enough to get your heart rate up. You should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. You can break that up for 30 minutes five times a week or take a brisk 10-minute walk three times a day.
  • Drink plenty of water. What's enough? Your pee should be clear or slightly yellow.
  • Take a break and de-stress. Take deep breaths or meditate.
  • Do something with friends or family. Meet for coffee, make a date with your partner, and go to the park together.
  • Stay up to date with recommended cancer screenings such as a colonoscopy, PAP smear, HPV test, or mammogram.