April 6-12, 2009
Reduce Your Chronic Disease and Injury Risk

• Avoid cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is the single most important preventable cause of illness and early death. The effects of smoking can be reversed.
• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps people of all ages look and feel better. Different kinds of exercise provide specific health benefits.
• Eat sensibly. A nutritious diet is essential for maintaining good health and proper weight.
• Get screened. Screenings are medical tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. It’s important to find diseases like breast or colon cancer early before they spread to other parts of your body.
• If you drink, drink only in moderation. Alcohol is frequently used to reduce stress because it has a relaxing effect. Regular, heavy use of alcohol leads to disease. Drinking and driving often leads to fatal or crippling accidents.
• Use care in taking prescription drugs. Although drugs may provide temporary relief from stress symptoms, they may not solve ongoing problems and tensions. Excessive or continued use of either prescription or illegal drugs may cause physical and mental problems.
• Be safety-conscious. Living safely at home, work, and on the road prevents accidents and injuries.
• Learn to manage stress. Stress is a normal part of living. Three major steps to keep daily stress from becoming a problem: take time to relax, talk with a friend, and learn to keep a positive outlook.
• Get adequate sleep. Adults need at least 7 – 9 hours sleep a night, while adolescents, children, toddlers and infants need more.