Self-Care Tips to Help You Stay Healthy

Self-care means practicing healthy habits in your everyday life. It's what you do to take good care of yourself in-between visits to your primary care provider (PCP) and other providers.

Choosing a healthy lifestyle will reduce your risk of serious disease and improve how you feel every day. For example, a 2020 survey of more than 2,000 Americans found that self-care increased people’s confidence (by 64%), productivity (by 67%) and happiness (by 71%).

Make self-care work for you with these tips  

Eat a balanced diet 

Eat foods from all food groups each day. Limit sweets, sugary drinks and foods high in salt and unhealthy fat (such as fried foods or processed meats). Learn more

Exercise 

Regular physical activity has many health benefits and can be fun. Don’t know where to start? Learn how

Take care of your feelings 

Feeling sad, overwhelmed or stressed sometimes is normal. However, if you have been feeling unhappy, anxious or worried for a long time and it is not getting better, talk to your PCP or call the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) ACCESS Call Center at 1-800-686-0101 for help. Learn more.

Don’t smoke

Smoking or vaping harms the organs in your body, greatly increasing the risk of cancer heart disease, stroke and other diseases. You have access to support resources that make quitting easier. Learn more

Limit alcohol use

Alcohol includes hard liquor, beer and wine. Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. It also impairs coordination and judgement, leading people to take risks that cause injury. Learn more.

Have a consistent sleep schedule

Regular sleep improves brain activity, mood and health. Not getting enough sleep raises your risk for many health problems. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep daily. Ask your PCP how to improve your sleep. Learn more.

Support your sexual health

Part of taking care of yourself is taking care of your sexual health. That includes embracing one’s own sexuality, communicating respectfully with partners as well as practicing safe sex. Learn more