Be Healthy!

Being healthy is unique for each of us. While the term healthy used to only refer to the absence of disease, it now encompasses much more! It includes establishing a relationship with your Blue Primary Care Network Provider, proper nutrition, adequate exercise, avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, getting enough sleep, prioritizing mental well-being and practicing healthy habits. By focusing on these areas, you will be working towards living a truly healthy lifestyle and attaining optimal health on your Blue Wellness Journey.

Establish a relationship with your Blue Primary Care Network Provider

Scheduling your annual Healthy You! with your Blue Primary Care Network Provider will help you identify potential health issues before they become a more serious health problem. This is the first step on your Blue Wellness Journey and the key to taking ownership of your health. You’ll be making changes today for a healthier future. Knowing your health numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar helps you manage your health more effectively.

Proper Nutrition

A healthy diet begins with eating a variety of nutritious foods like fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy. Nutritious foods help reduce the risk for heart disease and metabolic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. A healthy diet is also essential for memory, mood, focus and fueling you throughout your daily activities. You should aim to:

• Eat three meals each day along with 1-2 healthy snacks

• Reduce processed foods

• Increase water intake

• Limit high calorie beverages

Adequate Exercise

Many adults don’t get the recommended amount of 150 minutes of physical activity each week. If 150 minutes seems like a lot, aim for 30 minutes of activity a day, five days a week. If you don’t have time for a 30-minute workout, break it up into three 10-minute bouts throughout the day. Start simple with an activity like walking. Next, find other activities you like and get your family to join in. The key is to get moving and stay moving! You can also build activity into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away in the parking lot.

Avoid Tobacco

Choosing to quit smoking is the most important decision you can make to help improve your health and the quality of your life. Although quitting can be a difficult decision, health improvements start right away and continue to get better over time.

• 20 minutes after quitting – heart rate and blood pressure drops

• A few days after quitting – carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal

• 2 weeks to three months after quitting – circulation improves and your lung function increases

• 1 to 12 months after quitting – coughing and shortness of breath decrease

• 1 to 2 years after quitting – risk of heart attack drops dramatically

• 5 to 10 years after quitting – risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box is cut in half and stroke risk decreases

Remember, every time you try to quit, you increase your chances of succeeding. Members with the Tobacco-free benefit can get started right away by logging into myBlue and signing up.

Your health is so important

Getting an adequate amount of sleep, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, practicing mindfulness to manage stress, unplugging and taking time for self-care also help with achieving health and overall wellness. By making these habits a priority you are making your health a priority.