14 Ways to Have a Healthy Year

Making healthy choices in your life can influence your general health and longevity more than genetics and the environment. Adopting these lifestyle choices can help you stay healthy, energized -- and out of the doctor's office.

1. Get regular health screenings. Many fatal illnesses, including breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, heart disease and diabetes, can be detected by regular health screenings and treated successfully if diagnosed early.

2. Avoid drug interactions. Follow interaction and condition warnings carefully and ask your pharmacist to check for possible duplicate prescriptions and drug interactions if you take more than one medication.

3. Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer and is the leading cause of heart disease.  

4. Wear your seat belt. People who wear lap belts and shoulder belts reduce their risk for death in automobile accidents.

5. Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Having more than one drink a day for women and all people over age 65 or two drinks a day for men increases your risk for liver disease, heart failure and some cancers.

6. Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity can control weight and stress and reduce your risk for heart attack, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

7. When spending time outdoors, avoid times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is most intense. Wear protective clothing, including a hat, and year-round wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

8. Eat a well-balanced, low-fat, diet that includes 2 cups of fruit and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables each day. A healthy diet helps protect against cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

9. Manage your stress and other emotions. Excessive stress impairs your immune system and contributes to heart disease and many health problems. Seek professional help if you suffer depression or persistent anxiety.

10. Handle and prepare foods properly. Follow label directions for preparing and storing foods. Cook chicken, pork and ground beef thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria. Keep your hands, counters and utensils clean and sanitized.

11. Keep your immunizations up to date and get preventive health exams recommended for your age and gender. Ask your health care provider if you should schedule any exams or immunizations in the year ahead.

12. See a doctor if you have unusual symptoms. Ones to watch for include a mass or lump anywhere on your body, chest pains, ongoing fatigue, chronic cough, heart palpitations and numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

13. Maintain an ideal body weight. Keeping your weight within a healthy range can help prevent high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and some cancers.

14. Learn about your family's medical history. Discuss your findings with your doctor if cancer, heart disease, diabetes or other serious conditions run in your family.