b'& FITNESScountdown: Ten Steps to a HEALTH Healthier YouBy Ty Grissett, RNAs we focus on retooling for a better 2021, heres asymptoms. countdown of 10 simple things we all can do to meetHigh blood pressure can damage your health in many the challenges that lie ahead to protect our health ways.Itcanseriouslyhurtimportantorganslike mind, body and spirit.yourheart,brain,kidneys,andeyes.Inmostcases, youcanmanageyourbloodpressuretoloweryour # 10 Get a good nights sleep risk for serious health problems such as heart attack, Are you tired? Getting enough sleep has many healthstroke and heart failure. No matter your age, you can benefits according to the Centers for Disease Controltake steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a (CDC).Good sleephealthy range including exercise, diet and /or taking quality can help youmedication.All these steps begin with a simple blood maintain a healthypressure check. lifestyle and weight.Studies have shown#8Make sure your vaccines up that people who get ato dategood nights rest getJustlikeourkidsneedtostayuptodateontheir sick less often, lowerimmunizations,adultsshouldtoo.Protectionfrom their risk for serioussomechildhoodvaccinescanwearoffovertime. health problems likeYoumayalsobeatriskforvaccine-preventable diabetes and heartdiseaseduetoyourage,job,lifestyle,travel,or disease, reduce theirhealth conditions. With the addition of COVID-19 stress and improve their mood, think clearer and havevaccines, adults should be aware now more than ever healthier relationships.about staying up to date on their vaccines. AccordingtotheNationalSleepFoundationThefluvaccineisespeciallyimportantforpeople Guidelines,healthyadultsneedbetween7and9withchronichealthconditions,pregnantwomen, hours of sleep per night. Babies, young children, andandolderadults.Talkwithyourdoctororother teensneedevenmoresleeptoenabletheirgrowthhealthcareprofessionaltofindoutwhichvaccines and development. People over the age of 65 shouldarerecommendedforyouatyournextmedical also get 7 to 8 hours per night. appointment.Vaccinescanalsobeadministeredat your local health department. #9Get your blood pressure#7 Get your blood tested at a checked by a professional laboratory Getting your blood pressure checked could save yourMany people say they are afraid of needles and shots. life.Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is bloodYet,accordingtovariousstudies,BlackAmericans pressure higher than 120/80 mm/Hg and is called theareatgreatestriskformanydiseasesandcancers. silentkillerbymanyhealthprofessionalsbecauseAsimplelaboratorybloodtestcandetectthese manypeopledonotrealizetheirbloodpressureisdisorders at an early stage and increase the likelihood high. Why, because there are often no clear signs orofacure.AccordingtotheNationalHeart,Lung 18IMARA'