<p>Many factors affect your health. Some you cannot control, such as your genetic makeup or your age. But you can make changes to your lifestyle. By taking steps toward healthy living, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and other serious diseases:</p> <ul> <li>Get the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthscreening.html">screening tests</a> you need</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/weightcontrol.html">Maintain a healthy weight</a></li> <li>Eat a variety of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/nutrition.html">healthy foods</a>, and limit calories and saturated fat</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html">Be physically active</a></li> <li>Control your <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/howtopreventhighbloodpressure.html">blood pressure</a> and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/howtolowercholesterol.html">cholesterol</a></li> <li>Don't smoke</li> <li>Protect yourself from <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sunexposure.html">too much sun</a></li> <li>Drink alcohol in moderation, or don't drink at all</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthysleep.html">Get enough sleep</a> every day</li> <li>Work on <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/howtoimprovementalhealth.html">improving your mental health</a>, for example by practicing mediation, relaxation techniques, or gratitude</li> </ul> <p class="">Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality</p>