Menopause symptoms that may surprise you: What to watch for during perimenopause
How is PSA used to monitor prostate cancer?
Effects of sleep deprivation
Progressive relaxation techniques for insomnia
How to test for sleep apnea: At home or in a lab
How sleep deprivation can harm your health
Extreme heat endangers older adults: What to know and do
Want to cool down? 14 ideas to try
What is a PSA test and how is it used?
Blood sugar–friendly fruits if you have diabetes
Staying Healthy
Achieving and maintaining good health means adopting healthy lifestyle habits, from consuming nutritious foods and getting regular physical activity to prioritizing sleep and reducing stress.
Dietary patterns that are most closely linked to a longer, healthier life tend to focus on unprocessed or minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts as well as fish and healthy fats.
Physical activity can mean going for long walks, riding your bike, gardening, playing pickleball, or regularly participating in any activity you enjoy. Exercise lowers your risk for serious health problems, strengthens and tones your muscles, helps preserve independence, and boosts your mood.
Restorative sleep is similarly vital to your health and wellbeing, as is managing stress. Regular checkups, screening tests, and other preventive health measures are also important.
Over time, these efforts will pay dividends. You’ll be rewarded with more energy, improved mobility, less pain, a brighter outlook, and enhanced physical and mental health.
Related Articles
Diseases & Conditions
Too much of a good thing?
Men's Health
Sunscreen confusion
Heart Health
Drink more water to cut calories, fat, and sugar?
Nutrition
Dietary nitrate may lower risk of glaucoma
Mind & Mood
Moderate and intense exercise may slow brain aging by 10 years
Diet & Weight Loss
Why controlling your weight lowers your risk of diabetes
Nutrition
Mediterranean diet may protect against fractures as well as high-dairy diet
Heart Health
What do heart experts eat for dinner?
Staying Healthy
Weighing in on the value of the body mass index
Harvard Health Blog
Mind over back pain
Mind & Mood
Introduction to yoga: The mat sequence
Mind & Mood
Introduction to yoga: Breathing exercises
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
