Top 10 Tips for a Healthier 2009

It's not too late to set your New Year’s resolutions. With the holiday hustle and bustle behind us, now’s a great time to think clearly about 2009 and what you’d like to accomplish. We are committed to sharing ideas and resources with you so you can work toward a healthier, happier 2009. Here are just a few tips we’ve gleaned from our staff experts and our peers all over the country.

First, wash your hands: First, foremost and always, please wash your hands often. Proper handwashing is perhaps the most important single step you can take to protect your health. Wash your hands before and during meal preparation, before eating, and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, touching animals, handling money, and certainly after coughing and/or blowing your nose. When in doubt, wash your hands, please!

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Prepare for emergencies: We all have emergencies—fires, thunderstorms or snowstorms, floods, you name it. We help our community plan and prepare for public health emergencies, such as major disease outbreaks or epidemics. The good news is, many of the steps you would take at home and in your life to plan and prepare for natural disasters also prepare you for public health emergencies. Planning and preparing doesn’t have to be overwhelming—start small and buy an extra flashlight; batteries or non-perishable food item every time you go to the grocery store. Before long, you’ll have emergency food and supplies for several weeks put away. Remember—you can do this!

Get regular preventative health screenings: For women, the CDC recommends that you protect yourself from cancer by having a mammogram every year starting at age 40 and a pap test every year beginning at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover these screenings, and if you meet income criteria, the Women’s Wellness Connection may be able to help. Call (719) 578-3111 for information. Women and men should be screened for a variety of health issues on a regular basis. For more

Eat healthier: Start with something that’s really doable, such as this: Eat breakfast every day. When you don't eat breakfast, you are likely to make up for the calories you saved by eating more later on in the day. Choose a quick, healthy breakfast option such as yogurt with fruit or toast with sliced banana and a bit of peanut butter. Here’s another idea: Make a conscious effort to eat smaller food portions. When eating out, save some of your meal and take it home to make another meal or split one meal between two people.

Engage in physical activities: Find some fun, creative ways your friends and family can spend time being active. Walking is a great way to start. If your physician says you’re ready, sign up for a 5K walk or run to keep your mind focused on physical activity goals. Try to be active at least 2.5 hours per week. Help kids and teens be active at least an hour per day.

Update immunizations: Immunization—protecting individuals and entire populations via administration of vaccines—is one of the most successful and cost-efficient public health interventions in history. Immunization has eradicated small pox, lowered the global incidents of polio by 99 percent and achieved dramatic reductions in illness, disability and death from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles. But immunizations aren’t just for kids; adults need immunization to protect themselves and to protect the children in their surroundings. Start with your flu shot! For more. For more

Install monoxide detectors: This one is so easy but it’s easy to forget, too. To protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home. Replace the batteries when you change the batteries in your smoke detector. A good time to do this is when you set the clock back or forward each spring or fall. Death from carbon monoxide poisoning claims about 500 lives per year in the United States, and yet these deaths are preventable with the proper steps.

Quit using tobacco: There are a million reasons to avoid or quit using tobacco. Here are just a few: You’ll breathe better and cough less. You’ll have better senses of taste and smell. You’ll save money and live longer. The list goes on. So does the list of resources you can use when you’re ready to quit using tobacco. Just one: Colorado Quit Line, (800) QUITNOW.

Rethink your drink: Choose water, diet, or low-calorie beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. For a quick, easy and inexpensive thirst-quencher, carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Limit your alcoholic beverage intake. Alcoholic drinks contain many calories.

Take care of your mental health: When we don’t address the stress we’re feeling, it can affect our health, our productivity, our relationships and our jobs. To make a difference in your mental health, just try something simple first: If you’re overwhelmed at home, learn how to say “no” nicely. Try to do urgent tasks one at a time—multitasking often causes stress. And take up a hobby to channel energy into something you enjoy.

We wish you a healthy, happy and safe 2009!