We can live longer, healthier lives if we strive to practice healthy habits every day.
1. Visit your primary care provider regularly.
Your primary care provider provides education on medications and daily routines, is available when you get sick, and helps you find specialty care when you need it. Think of this as your “medical home,” where you can talk with medical providers you trust, and who know you and your background.
- Several Cone Health practices in Greensboro serve patients with limited incomes, no insurance, or difficulties paying for care.
Learn about programs that make health care more affordable.
2. Make time for family and friends. Healthy relationships are important.
Healthy relationships are a key ingredient for health. Your support network gives you a sense of belonging and self-worth, and helps you manage stress.
- Learn why a healthy social life is important to your wellness.
- Cone Health’s 24-hour, toll-free helpline offers immediate assistance and guidance for mental illness and substance abuse issues. Call 336-832-9700 or 1-800-711-2635.
- Cone Health Behavioral Health offers both outpatient and inpatient treatment. For more information, click here.
- Click here for more information from the Behavioral Health agency that serves your county:
- Cardinal Innovations (Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Chatham, Orange, Person, Stanly)
- CenterPoint Human Services (Forsyth, Stokes, Davie and Rockingham)
- Sandhills Center (Anson, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph or Richmond county)
3. Take medications as directed by your provider.
Make sure that you understand the directions – how many times each day, how much medication and for how many days – and never take anyone else's medications.
4. Maintain a healthy weight and a trim waistline.
It is important to know what a healthy weight and diet is for you. Discuss this with your primary care provider, as things like your age, gender, physical activity level and medical history need to be considered.
5. Eat healthy meals and snacks, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
Make healthy eating fun. Start with small changes and gradually build on your healthy eating habits. Celebrate your changes along the way!
Local resources to help you eat healthy:
Get ideas for delicious recipes and shopping tips for healthy cooking:
Many people living on limited incomes may find it difficult to afford healthy and nutritious food. The information below may help:
- Search for a Farmer’s Market in your community to purchase fresh, local, tasty and affordable food.
- The WIC program serves women, infants and children and, based on your income, may provide vouchers to purchase healthy food at participating stores.
- The SNAP program helps people with limited income purchase food:
- The Little Green Book and The Little Blue Book lists all the free meals and food pantries in Greensboro.
- Cone Health partners with St. James Presbyterian Church (820 Ross Ave. Greensboro) to offer a “Message and a Meal” with free hot meal and health education every Sunday at 3 pm.
- Many more resources are available through the United Way’s community directory. You can dial “211” on your phone, or search the online directory.
6. Get moving every day – aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
Bring a friend along. If you haven’t been active for a while, that’s OK. Set small goals and gradually increase your activity over time. Ask your primary care provider what physical activity is OK for you.
- View a short video on exercise for people who don’t have enough time to exercise.
- Find a local YMCA:
- Discover available resources at the .
- Use these parks and recreation websites to find a park, trail or recreation center near you:
- Download the “Be Healthy” app for Rockingham County to an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet for updated information on opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating in Rockingham County.
- Download the Physical Activity Resource guide for Rockingham County.
7. Don’t smoke.
Smoking causes cancer, low birth weight babies, and damage to organs, lung and skin. Smoking is deadly. Make your “Stop Smoking” plan today and get your life back!
8. Avoid alcohol or drink only moderate amounts.
If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For women, that’s no more than one drink per day, and two drinks per day for men. Pregnant women should avoid alcohol.
9. Manage stress through prayer, meditation or mindful relaxation.
Practicing a relaxation activity just once a day can help to combat the negative effects of stress. Exercise helps with stress, too!
10. Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
Sleeping fewer than seven to nine hours each night, irregular sleep schedules or poor quality sleep has been associated with many health risks. Have a bedtime ritual of going to bed and waking up the same time each day. Limit bedtime activities to sleep or sex, turn off the TV and avoid using electronic devices/computers before bed.
