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.
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.
Mental health is also an important aspect of your health. Make time to take care of yourself, and if you need a little extra support, don't be afraid to reach out for help.
- 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.
- Find more information from the Behavioral Health agency that serves your county:
- Cardinal Innovations (Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Stanly, Stokes)
- Sandhills Center (Anson, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph or Richmond county)
Make sure that you understand the directions for each of your medications. Know how many times you should take a medication each day and for how many days you should take it. Never take anyone else's medications.
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.
Make healthy eating fun. Start with small changes and gradually build on your healthy eating habits. Celebrate your changes along the way!
Resources to help you eat healthy:
Get ideas for delicious recipes and shopping tips for healthy cooking by visiting:
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. You can find a list of where to pick up up a copy here.
- 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.
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 this exercise resource guide to learn how to stay fit at any stage in life.
- View a short video on exercise for people who don’t have enough time to exercise.
- Find a local YMCA:
- Use these parks and recreation websites and resources to find a park, trail or recreation center near you:
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!
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.
Practicing a relaxation activity just once a day can help to combat the negative effects of stress. Exercise helps with stress, too!
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.
