National Girlfriends Day 2014 Is August 1st: What To Do

August 1 is National Girlfriends Day 2014. Encourage one another to stay healthy.

Friends can support your efforts, work out with you, and call your attention to matters you may be ignoring. Here are some tips to help you and your friends stay healthy and safe.

Be Active and Eat Healthy

Make healthy choices when you get together with your friends. Find fun ways to get physical activity like walking, dancing, gardening, or swimming. When eating out or cooking at home, be sure to include fruits and vegetables and other foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods and beverages high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars and salt.

– Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Children and teens need at least one hour of activity daily.
– Exercise with friends and get the many benefits of regular physical activity.
– Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid portion size pitfalls. Split an entrée with a friend.
– Find ways to cut calorie intake and still feel full.

Give Up Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco

Friends can be important sources of support. Resources are available for people who are trying to quit or cut down on drinking or give up smoking.

– Binge drinking (defined for women as consuming four or more drinks on an occasion) increases the chances of breast cancer, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, and other health problems.
– Call1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) — to get information about drug and alcohol treatment in your local community.
– Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You lower your risk for different types of cancer, and don’t expose others to secondhand smoke—which causes health problems in infants, children, and adults.
– Call the state tobacco quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); TTY 1-855-855-7081; relay service 1-800-833-6384 or visit smokefree women.

SOURCE CDC