Mastitis: What to do when your breasts are painfully inflamed
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it
Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?
Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?
Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?
Healthier planet, healthier people
Counting steps is good — is combining steps and heart rate better?
Appendix pain: Could it be appendicitis?
Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?
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
Harvard Health Blog
Weight loss that works: A true story
Stuart Quan, MD
Home sleep studies may help identify sleep apnea
Harvard Men's Health Watch
What you can learn from wellderlies
Nutrition
Get cooking at home
Exercise & Fitness
HIT workouts may boost exercise motivation
Nutrition
What is in a food label? You may be surprised
Diabetes
Ask the doctor: Do artificial sweeteners cause insulin resistance?
Women's Health
Incontinence may reflect body fat, not just weight
Women's Health
White wine linked to higher risk of certain melanomas
Stress
Take steps to prevent or reverse stress-related health problems
Vitamins & Supplements
Ask the doctor: Should I take a probiotic?
Skin and Hair
Ask the doctor: Does psoriasis raise diabetes risk?
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
