Healthy habits go a long way to prevent diseases. We can easily develop healthy habits by following seven tips:

1. Eat wisely: Eating less and balanced diet help to prevent many illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid excessive salt and sugars. Eat at regular intervals. Avoid starvation. Have your dinner at least 2 hours before going to bed.

2. Exercise: Being physically fit, helps to increase your energy level and also improves the digestion of food we eat. Try to do some kind of exercise 4-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes. Choose an exercise which you like to do and you can do regularly week after week. See the “Benefits of Exercising” chapter for more information.

3. Avoid smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of many cancers and other lung diseases.

4. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol is a social problem as well as a medical problem. Alcohol affects the liver, stomach, nerves, and brain.

5. Vaccinations: Vaccines prevent diseases. Get children and yourself vaccinated as recommended. See the “Vaccination” chapter for more information.

6. Mental health: Stress, anxiety, and depression leads to other health illnesses. Take care of your emotional health. See chapter “Mental health” for more information.

7. Safety: Putting safety first prevents accidents and injuries. Follow traffic rules while driving. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t let your children drive if they do not have a license to drive. Practice safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. Avoid violence by managing anger.