Get seven hours of sleep each night. Keep your weight down. Drink moderately or not at all. Don't eat between meals. Losing weight will usually require cutting down on fats and sugars in your diet, combined with regular exercise.
Exercise can also help reduce high blood pressure.
Studies reveal that people who follow all seven rules are healthier and live longer than those who follow six, six more than five, and so on, in perfect order. Other habits will promote and maintain health. These include avoiding stress and sexual promiscuity and being careful to avoid injury at work or play. Civic associations, government agencies and political leadership can also promote more healthful ways of living by providing information and passing legislation. The key question, then, is whether families, churches and schools can be more effective in persuading Americans to take care of their health.