Aldosterone overload: An underappreciated contributor to high blood pressure
Can you retrain your brain to stop excessive drinking?
Beyond statins: New ways to lower LDL cholesterol
What is a cardioversion procedure?
For now, electric cars appear safe for people with implanted heart devices
Can you stop blood thinners after an ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Reversing prediabetes may slash heart disease risk by half
Waking up to urinate at night affects blood pressure
Finding and fixing a stiff, narrowed aortic valve
VO2 max: What it is and how you can improve it
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
Healthy aging and longevity
Gentler exercise for mind and body is best for sleep
Healthy aging and longevity
Boost the power of your breakfast cereal
Heart Health
A new way to "beet" high blood pressure?
Healthy aging and longevity
Chemical in food can liners may boost blood pressure
Harvard Health Blog
A healthy diet is the key to getting the iron you need
Heart Health
Panel suggests that dietary guidelines stop warning about cholesterol in food
Exercise and Fitness
For joggers, less may be more
Heidi Godman
Cocoa: a sweet treat for the brain?
Exercise and Fitness
Being part of a walking group yields wide-ranging health benefits
Medications and treatments
Ask the doctor: Does a beta blocker interfere with exercise?
Exercise and Fitness
Some exercise beats none; more is better
Exercise and Fitness
Too much sitting linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature death
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
