Health Tip: Staying Healthy

(HealthDay News) -- Your lifestyle choices really can make a difference in whether you're healthy or frequently sick, the American Academy of Family Physicians says.

The academy offers these suggestions to help prevent chronic health problems:

• Avoid smoking and any other use of tobacco.
• Limit your alcohol intake. For women, that's no more than one drink per day, or no more than two drinks per day for men.
• Stick to a healthy diet, maintain a healthy body weight and get regular exercise.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunscreen, and avoid sunbathing and using tanning beds.
• Be safe when it comes to choosing sexual partners and having sex. Always use condoms and spermicide.
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• Make regular appointments for vaccinations and screenings, such as mammograms, Pap smears, cancer screenings and physical exams.