It’s never too late to start making healthy choices. By making changes now Nunavummiut have the power to cut the risk of getting chronic diseases.
Change can start small. By setting realistic goals, you can learn to make healthier choices that matter for you, your family and your community.
Health experts know that your ability to change your personal health habits is affected by where you live and work, your social supports, income, education, culture and other factors.
But there are also some risk factors you can’t control. You can't control your family medical history, your ethnic background, your age, and your gender. However by choosing a healthy lifestyle you may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes and breathing and lung diseases.
It's not easy to make big changes. It takes time to form new habits. By understanding the changes you need to make, starting small and setting realistic goals, you can learn to make healthier choices and reduce your risk for chronic disease.
Here are the eight most important healthy choices you can make:
- Be a non-smoker and avoid second hand smoke.
- Be physically active every day.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Achieve a healthy weight.
- Control your blood pressure.
- Limit your intake of alcohol.
- Reduce your stress.
- Be screened or tested regularly.