Say "I Do" the Healthy Way
Before you say "I Do," make health a priority. Remember to put yourself on the wedding checklist with good health and safety habits.
- Be active. Get at least 2½ hours of physical activity a week. The health benefits of physical activity include controlling your weight, reducing the risk for certain diseases and conditions, and improving your mental health and mood.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods low in sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Avoid crash diets that limit your nutritional intake and tend to fail in the long run. Nutrition is an important part of overall health.
- Be smokefree. Smoking causes many health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569 for Spanish speakers) for free resources, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to other resources where you live.
- Sleep tight. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Poor sleep is responsible for motor vehicle and machinery-related crashes, causing injury and disability each year.
- Get a check-up. Don't put off exams and health screenings. Include them as a part of your planning.
Important Information about Zika
Are you having your wedding abroad or traveling for your honeymoon? Some destinations have outbreaks of Zika virus. CDC has issued Zika travel notices with recommendations for travelers to these destinations. Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, travelers to these areas should protect themselves from mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of Zika is also possible, so travelers are encouraged to use condoms.
Because Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of microcephaly and other severe brain defects, CDC recommends that pregnant women not travel to an area with Zika. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip. Learn more about Zika and Pregnancy.
Be Safe and Prepared
- If you're going abroad for your honeymoon, get travel health information for your location. There may be important health information about where you are going or what vaccinations you may need for the trip.
- Whether you're going abroad or staying close to home, pack and use sunscreen, insect repellent, and prevent other common problems from happening during travel.
- Stay healthy on a cruise. Cruise ship outbreaks of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, primarily caused by norovirus, have been reported. Prevent illness through frequent hand washing with soap and water.
Be True to Yourself
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) is any physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner. Learn more about IPV and what the risk factors are.
- Wedding planning can be stressful. In addition to eating healthy and being active, avoid drugs and alcohol, and connect socially with loved ones to help manage stress.
- Schedule an appointment to see your health provider, a counselor, or others for help if you are feeling depressed or anxious.
- Page last reviewed: December 7, 2016
- Page last updated: December 7, 2016
- Content source:
- CDC Office of Women's Health
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs