What could be more important than your health? This is the foundation on which everything we care about is built. We can't be great workers, spouses, parents, friends or just plain people if we don't feel good. A desire to look and feel better than you currently do is a worthy reason to rethink your health habits.

We believe it's important for you to feel your best and want to encourage positive health habits. Here are some tips to get back to basics:

• Quit smoking! If you smoke, pick a date to quit. Ask your doctor for help and advice. If a friend or loved one smokes, talk to them in a non-confrontational way about how his or her smoking makes you feel.
• Aim for a healthy weight. You don't have to look like a magazine model. But you should talk to your doctor about your target weight, and whether you are facing serious health risks by not meeting it.
• Keep your heart in mind. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Avoid salt and sodium whenever you can.
• Keep moving. Do at least 60 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, most days of the week. You can even break it up into three 10-minute segments during the day. Talk to your doctor first to make sure you're choosing an exercise program that is safe for you.
• Stay cool. Do whatever you can to minimize stress and anxiety.
• Recognize and treat chronic illness. Those who suffer from chronic illness such as diabetes can live well by getting regular checkups and monitoring their own health and behaviors.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if you drink at all. Moderate drinking is defined as not more than two standard drinks per day for a man age 65 or under and not more than one standard drink per day for a man over the age of 65 or a woman of any age. A standard drink consists of one 12-ounce can of beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.
• Read the medication label. You should have specific instructions for any medication you take, including how often you should take it, at what time of day, if you should take it with or without food, and whether it interacts with any other medications you take. Inform your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines, especially for colds or allergies, and if you are using any herbal or home remedies. If you are experiencing symptoms you suspect to be medication side effects, contact your doctor right away.
• Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly. Do you know your blood pressure and cholesterol readings? If not, it's probably time for a checkup. Maintain a dialog with your doctor about your goals and how you can achieve and monitor them.

Take responsibility for you! If you don't care for — and about — your health, who will?

As part of your UPS-sponsored health plan benefits, UPSer’s and their spouses covered by the flexible benefits plan can take a health assessment that offers an in-depth assessment of your lifestyle and factors that impact your health status. This will give you an opportunity to see your health in a big picture. Doing so can help you prioritize the kinds of health changes you may need to consider, and which health changes you may be ready and confident to make.

Click here for more information on the Health Assessment.

Sources: American Council on Science and Health, "Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Health," 2005; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005"