Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits. Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity. Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical activity – age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size do not matter. 

Immediate Benefits 

Some benefits of physical activity on brain health  happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better. 

Long term benefits 

• Cardiovascular Disease 

• Heart disease and stroke are two leading causes of death in the United States. Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity can put you at a lower risk for these diseases. You can reduce your risk even further with more physical activity. Regular physical activity can also lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels. 

• Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome 

• Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is some combination of too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure, low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high blood sugar. People start to see benefits at levels from physical activity even without meeting the recommendations for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. Additional amounts of physical activity seem to lower risk even more. 

• Infectious Diseases 

• Some Cancers · Being physically active lowers your risk for developing several common cancers. Adults who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have reduced risks of developing cancers 

• Strengthen Your Bones and Muscles  

• Improve Your Ability to do Daily Activities and Prevent Falls 

• Increase Your Chances of Living Longer 

• How Much Physical Activity Do I Need? 

  • An estimated 110,000 deaths per year could be prevented if US adults ages 40 and older increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by a small amount. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference. 

• Manage Chronic Health Conditions & Disabilities 

Tips for sticking with exercise 

Here are some simple ways you can stay motivated, have fun, and make exercise a positive habit. 

• Create a weekly exercise plan. Pick days of the week or times of day that work with your schedule, obligations, and preferences. Not a morning person? A 5:00 a.m. gym class might not be best for you. Check your plan each week and change it as needed. You might have to adjust your exercise plan to stay on track when illness, bad weather, or other unexpected events come along. 

• Find a workout buddy. Having a friend or group to exercise with can be especially helpful when you start a routine. Knowing somebody is waiting for you can prevent skipping workouts or sleeping through them. Some studies show that working out with a buddy improves results. Plus, it’s more fun than exercising alone. 

• Sign up for a race or competition that gives you a reason to train. If you pay an entry fee in advance, you’ll be more likely to participate in order to get your money’s worth. 

• Find a cause or problem you care about and sign up for a charity race or event. You’ll help the charity increase awareness and raise money while you get fit. 

• Use a fitness app or activity tracker to measure progress and stay accountable. There are lots of tracking tools available that can be used online or on your smartphone. Visit iTunes’ app store or Google Play to explore tools to track your progress on your smartphone. 

• Try a new activity. A different type of exercise can refresh your commitment to improving your health through physical activity. 

• Think about the good example you’re setting for your loved ones by exercising regularly. You might inspire them to start a fitness program too. 

Additional Resources 

• Exercise videos for starters from ISU extension and outreach 

Source: Smokefree.gov 

Source: CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections. Germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when you: 

•  Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands 

• Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands 

• Touch surfaces or objects that have germs on them 

Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects 

All Americans deserve to live, work, study and play in smokefree environments. By implementing laws and policies to make our communities smokefree, we can:  

• Protect all workers and patrons from the dangers of secondhand smoke  

• Reduce death and diseases associated with secondhand smoke  

• Motivate smokers to quit  

• Reduce the number of people who start smoking   

Maintaining Iowa’s air quality is a job in which all Iowans can play a role. Poor air quality is unhealthy for everyone, but especially for children, senior citizens and people with respiratory conditions like asthma. With cleaner air, there are fewer trips to the emergency room and lower respiratory illness rates. It also keeps Iowa’s wildlife and plant life thriving.  

Cleaner, healthier air requires both local and regional efforts. The DNR leads Iowans in caring for the state’s air quality by partnering with communities, business and industry, organizations and private citizens to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to create workable solutions to air quality issues.  

Source: Iowa DNR  

Source: American Lung Association 

The benefits of cycling are almost as endless as the trails and miles of amazing outdoor terrain you can explore. Bikes will take you places that cars never see. Everyday activities will become easier such as endurance, walking, standing and stair climbing. Riding a bike is enjoyable, socially oriented and gets you outside and moving.   

• Cycling can help to protect you from serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis.  

• Riding a bike is healthy, fun and a low-impact form of exercise for all ages.  

• Cycling is easy to fit into your daily routine by riding to the shops, park, school or work.  

They say you will never forget how to ride a bike, so maybe it’s time for you to consider getting back in the saddle. Just be sure to always wear a helmet for safety! 

Source: Better Health | Cycling Health Benefits  

Imagine this, you have the warm sunshine on your face, the wind is rustling the trees overhead, you can hear the birds singing in the distance, and you have the soft earthy feel of the trail under your boots. Not only are these experiences enjoyable to have, but they are good for you, too. Hiking is proven to have many health benefits, ranging from physical exercise you get when you get out to the trail, to emotional or mental relief that comes from being in nature.   

Benefits of hiking  

• Hiking helps to keep you calm and happy  

  • Research is quite clear on the benefits of being in nature while exercising. Studies have found that compared to walking in a cityscape or along a road, walking in green spaces helps us recover from “attention overload” - the mental fatigue that comes from living and working in a world where computers and cell phones are a constant distraction.   

  • Being in nature is calming too, and studies have found that people who spend time walking in nature areas are less anxious and suffer less rumination (thinking about the same worries or regrets over and over again), which should help protect against depression. 

  • While it’s not totally clear why nature provides these psychological perks, research has found that being in nature encourages feelings of awe-a state of wonder couples with a sense of being small in the presence of something bigger than yourself. Awe is a powerful emotion that has many benefits, including improving your mood and making you feel more generous.   

• Hiking helps your relationships  

  • One reason is that many of us hike with other people, and exercising together can produce special feelings of closeness – and sense of safety. Even if you prefer hiking alone, it can be rejuvenating to let go of responsibility for a bit and take to a trail. It’ll leave you feeling refreshed after taking time for yourself, making you more emotionally available to others afterward.   

• Hiking keeps your mind sharper than many other forms of exercise  

  • Hiking involves something many other forms of exercise don’t: trails. That means it requires navigating in a world that’s not totally predictable. Slippery dirt, overhanging branches and hidden obstacles, trail markers, and wild animals crossing your path-all of the things you may encounter on a trail require micro- and macro- adjustments to your route, which is good for your brain.  

• Hiking can increase our creativity   

  • Walks in nature allows ones mind to wander freely in creative directions. Some scholars believe that these benefits for creativity have to do with how natural settings allow our attention to soften and our minds to wander in ways that can help us connect disparate ideas that are swirling around in our minds. Others suggest that the spaciousness and unpredictability in natural scenery somehow enhance creativity.   

Additional Resources 

For more information on hiking trails in Pottawattamie County visit Pottawattamie County Parks - Pottawattamie Conservation - Pottawattamie Conservation (pottconservation.com)  

Day hiking essential checklist Hiking Essentials Checklist: What to Bring on a Hike | REI Expert Advice  

All Trails App that uses your location to find trails near you Hiking Trails Near me | List | AllTrails  

Source: Benefits of Hiking - Trails & Hiking (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)  

Drinking enough water every day is important for your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, and lead to constipation and kidney stones. Water has no calories, so it can also help managing body weight and reducing calorie intake when substituted for drink with calories, such as tea or soda.   

Water helps your body 

• Keep a normal temperature  

• Lubricate and cushion joints  

• Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues  

• Get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements   

• Your body needs more water when you are:   

• In hot climates  

• More physically active  

• Running a fever  

• Having diarrhea or vomiting   

Tips to drink more water  

• Carry a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day  

• Freeze some freezer safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice cold water all day long  

• Choose water over sugary drinks  

• Opt for water when eating out. You’ll save money and reduce calories  

• Serve water during meals  

• Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water. This can help improve taste  

Healthier drink options  

• Low or no calorie beverages  

• Plain coffee or teas, sparkling water, seltzers, and flavored waters, are low-calorie choices that can be a part of a healthy diet  

• Drinks with calories and important nutrients  

• Low-fat or fat-free milk; unsweetened, fortified milk alternatives; or 100% fruit or vegetable juice contain important nutrients such as calcium, potassium, or vitamin D. These drinks should be enjoyed within recommended calorie limits   

Additional Resources  

• Plant Nanny water tracking app Plant Nanny Cute Water Tracker on the App Store (apple.com)  

• Source: Water and Healthier Drinks (CDC)  

People are by nature social creatures. Social connections are important for our survival. Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and community members can have a major impact on our health and well-being.  

When people are socially connected and have stable and supportive relationships, they are more likely to make healthy choices and to have better mental and physical health outcomes. They are also better able to cope with hard times, stress, anxiety, and depression.  

How to Spend More Intentional Time with Friends and Family  

There’s no ideal activity you can do with friends and family that makes a difference in your mental well- being. It’s more about doing those activities with a sense of mindfulness and intentionality. Pay attention to the people around you. Put your cell phone away and be an active listener and strong communicator.  

Some of the best activities for spending intentional time with people and strengthening your bonds include:  

• Going on a vacation together  

• Family dinner (This can help with your kids/teens’ mental health, too!)  

• Breakfast with friends  

• Camping or hiking  

• Cooking together  

• Spending a day at the park  

Additional Resources 

Source: CDC | Emotional Wellbeing  

Source: Mental Health Benefits of spending quality time with friends & family 

There are many physical and psychological benefits of nature that scientists have observed, which can better help us understand how nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community. Being outside in green spaces supports an active and healthy lifestyle, which has shown to increase life expectancy, improve sleep quality and reduce cancer risk. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.  

Nature heals  

• Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings.  

Nature soothes 

•  In addition, nature helps us cope with pain. Because we are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, and other nature elements engrossing, we are absorbed by nature scenes and distracted from our pain and discomfort.  

Nature restores  

• One of the most intriguing areas of current research is the impact of nature on general wellbeing. In one study in Mind, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to calm and balanced  

Additional Resources 

Source: USDA | Wellness Benefits 

Source: University of Minnesota | How does nature impact our wellbeing? 

When we talk about recycling, we’re often lumping together concepts of reduce, reuse, and recycle. All these help cut down the amount of waste that you generate and lower your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of your activities.   

• Reducing  

  • Cutting down on the amount of waste products you use, such as buying groceries that don’t come in a plastic package  

• Reusing  

  • Using materials more than once, such as washable food wraps and glass containers to store food, rather than disposables  

• Recycling  

  • Making something new out of waste materials, such as footwear made from old rubber tires   

How does trash impact your health?   

• Each person in the U.S produces more than 1,780 pounds of trash on average each year, which is more than the average individual from any other country. The waste produced by humans not only takes up space, it also releases chemicals and greenhouse gasses. Not only does that take up space, it also releases harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses as it sits in landfills. Decomposing garbage produces carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. These all contribute to the air pollution that causes various respiratory diseases.   

The impact of recycling on health   

• Recycling reduces the health risks of disease and birth defects associated with landfills and incinerators. It also has a positive impact on our personal health and that of our planet in several other ways.   

• Recycled materials save energy because making new products from raw materials uses a lot more energy than using recycled ones, even when comparing all the associated costs such as transportation.   

• Recycling and composting should be high on your priority list if you want a healthy body far into the future. The quality of air you breathe and the soil your food comes from depend on having a clean environment. It’s also critical if you want to provide a healthy world for generations to come.   

Additional Resources  

For more information on what the Pottawattamie County Recycling Center accepts Rural Recycling Center | Pottawattamie County, Iowa (pottcounty-ia.gov)  

When it comes to warm-weather activities that are good for your health, you may think of walking, hiking, or running. But there’s another pastime that holds many benefits with a bonus to boot: Gardening. Even If you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, there are many health benefits-both physical and mental-that come with digging into the soil and doing some planting. And the bonus? You get exercise and yield a basketball of peppers, tomatoes, and several other fruits, veggies, and beautiful flowers.   

Here are a few of the many benefits that can be found from digging in the dirt  

• Increased exercise  

  • A busy day in the garden can be a good form of exercise. While tending to a garden, you perform functional movement that mimics whole body exercise. You perform squats and lunges while weeding. By carrying bags of mulch and other supplies works your large muscle groups. Digging, raking, and using a push mower can be physically intense exercises  

• Improved diet  

  • Growing and eating your own fruits and vegetables can have a positive impact on your diet. Gardeners are more likely to include fruits and vegetables as part of healthy, well-balances diets.   

  • Did you know that different vegetables have a variety of unique health benefits? Peppers contain capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce heart disease. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and potassium. They also contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce prostate cancer risk. Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers/ Spinach may boost your immune system and broccoli protects the body’s cell from damage.   

• Time in nature  

  • Getting outdoors is good for your physical and mental health. When outdoors, people tend to breathe deeper. This helps to clear out the lungs, improves digestion, improves immune response and increases levels of oxygen in the blood. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce your heart rate and muscle tension. Sunlight helps lower blood pressure and increases vitamin D levels.   

• Reduce stress levels  

  • Nearly all forms of exercise can reduce stress including gardening. It’s been shown to lighten moods and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It’s a very rewarding duty to plant, tend, harvest, and share your own food. 

  • Routines provide structure to our day and are linked to improved mental health. Gardening routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress.   

• Social connection  

  • Gardening brings people and communities together and increases social connections. The gardening community is rich with people willing to share their expertise, time, and occasionally plants with new gardeners. Social connections are important because they help lower stress, improve resilience, and provide support during difficult times in life. A strong sense of belonging lowers your risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.   

Tips for starting a garden  

• Start small  

  • It’s easy to get excited and want a large plot with many plants. Don’t take on more than you can handle because that could cause more stress. The larger the garden, the more work it is. It can quickly overwhelm you if you don’t have enough resources or time to care for it. Take it one step at a time, you can always increase the size of your garden in the future.   

• Build a network  

  • Find other people who are interested in gardening. Learn from each other’s successes and failures  

• Research appropriate plants  

  • Find plants that will grow well in your climate and hardiness zone. Talk with local master gardeners or county agricultural resource office to get tips on what plants thrive in your area. This improves your chances of success and lowers the stress and potential disappointment   

Additional Resources 

• For more tips on how to start a vegetable garden for beginners visit: Dig into the benefits of gardening - Mayo Clinic Health System  

• 11 Principles to know when laying out a vegetable garden: 11 Principles to Know When Laying Out a Vegetable Garden (thespruce.com)

• Garden plans and layout ideas: 19 Vegetable Garden Plans & Layout Ideas That Will Inspire You (morningchores.com)

• Source: Dig into the benefits of gardening - Mayo Clinic Health System  

Meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing with it inner peace. If stress has you anxious, tense, and worried, consider trying mediation. Spending even just a couple of minutes in meditation can help restore your inner calm and peace. The best part, anyone can practice meditation. It’s simple and inexpensive and does not require any special equipment.   

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine. Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the steam of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. As a result, there is enhanced physical and emotional well-being.   

Benefits of meditation  

Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. You can also use it to relax and cope with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep your inner peace. These benefits don’t end when your meditation session ends, meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day.   

The emotional and physical benefits of meditation can include   

• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations  

• Building skills to manage your stress  

• Increasing self awareness  

• Focusing on the present  

• Reducing negative emotions  

• Increasing imagination and creativity  

• Increasing patience and tolerance  

• Lowering resting heart rate  

• Lowering resting blood pressure  

• Improving sleep quality  

• Meditation might also be useful if you have a medical condition, especially one that may be worsened by stress. Research suggests that meditation may help people manage symptoms of conditions such as:   

  • Anxiety  

  • Asthma  

  • Cancer  

  • Chronic pain  

  • Depression  

  • Heart disease  

  • High blood pressure  

  • Irritable bowel syndrome  

  • Sleep problems  

  • Tension headaches  

Everyday ways to practice meditation  

• Breathe deeply: This technique is good for beginners because breathing is a natural function. Focus all your attention on your breathing. Concentrate on feeling and listening as you inhale and exhale through your nostrils. Breathe deeply and slowly. When your attention wanders, gently return your focus on your breathing.   

• Scan your body: When using this technique, focus attention on different parts of your body. Become aware of your body’s various sensations, whether it’s pain, tension, warmth, or relaxation. Combine body scanning with breathing exercises and imagine breathing heat or relaxation into and out of different parts of the body.   

• Walk and meditate: Combining a walk with meditation is an efficient and healthy way to relax. You can use this technique anywhere you’re walking, such a on a hiking trail, a city sidewalk, or at the mall.   

• Focus your love and kindness: In this type of meditation, you think of others with feelings of love, compassion, and kindness. This can help increase how connected you feel to others.  

Additional Resources  

• Different types of meditation 9 Types of Meditation: Which One Is Right for You? (healthline.com)  

• Meditation for beginners Beginners Guide to Meditation: Techniques to Learn to Sit [Video> (mindworks.org)  

• Source: Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are - Mayo Clinic  

Therapy is an effective way to help manage your mental health. There are several reasons people go to therapy. It can help you through a tough time, such as illness, job stress, or relationship challenges. Some people also seek psychotherapy as a part of treatment for mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder. Children and adults may attend talk therapy and benefit. Talk therapy can help someone address issues like:   

• Mental health diagnosis  

• Challenging life events like divorce, major illness, or loss of a loved one  

• Coping with long-term illness of self or loved one  

• Sexual or physical abuse  

• Relationship issues, either alone or as a couple  

• Family dynamics   

Is therapy good for you?   

• Therapy can help you develop skills and strategies to improve your well-being. There are many good reasons for therapy and way it may help you such as:   

• Having a better understanding of your mental health  

• Developing wellness goals  

• Identifying triggers that lead to symptoms or unhealthy behaviors  

• Improving interpersonal relationships  

• Coping with stress  

• Creating a personal plan for a mental health crisis  

• Making sense of past trauma  

Additional Resources  

• For additional mental health services Resource Connection - Southwest Iowa Region Mental Health & Disability Services (swiamhds.com)  

A dental exam is part of a checkup of your teeth and gums. When you see your dentist for a checkup, the visit usually includes three parts  

• A dental cleaning to remove the buildup of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that coats your teeth  

• X-rays of your teeth on certain visits depending on the health of your teeth  

• An exam of your teeth and mouth by a dentist   

Dental exams are important for protecting your oral health. Oral health includes your teeth, gums, and all the muscles and bones that let you smile, speak, and chew. Common oral health problems include tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease (periodontal disease) that can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss. Poor oral health can affect your general health, too. For an example, loosing teeth can cause problems with eating and nutrition, which can lead to other health problems. That is why it is important to maintain regular visits to the dentist and practice good toothbrushing and flossing habits at home.  

Additional Resources  

• For more information on the importance of regular dental visits: The importance of regular dental visits | Oral Health Foundation (dentalhealth.org)   

• Oral and Dental Health Statistics: FastStats - Oral and Dental Health (cdc.gov)  

• Family Inc’s I-Smile Program: I-Smile FAMILY, Inc (familyia.org)  

• Source: Dental Exam: MedlinePlus Medical Test  

Did you know that a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor doesn’t just determine if you need glasses or contacts? In fact, your doctor also carefully looks at all aspects of eye health which can help provide a clear picture of your overall health.   

Nearly all Americans believe their eye health is just as important as the health of their heart, but nearly half of those ages 23-38, don’t think they need an eye exam if their vision is clear, according to the American Optometric Associations Eye-Q Survey 2020. Through an eye exam, Doctor of Optometry can identify early warning signs and manifestations of more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. In fact, getting a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to visualize the blood vessels behind the eye for issues without an x-ray, CT scan or invasive surgery.  

5 ways to protect your vision   

• Get regular eye exams  

• Eat a healthy diet, including leafy greens such as spinach or kale, maintain a healthy weight  

• Know your family’s eye health history   

• Wear sunglasses that block out 99% to 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation (the sun’s rays)  

• Quit smoking or don’t start  

• Easy on the eyes  

• If you spend a lot of time focusing on one thing, such as a computer screen, your eyes can get tired. Try the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eyestrain: every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.    

Additional Resources  

• To find an eye doctor near you: Find a doctor of optometry | AOA  

• 8 tips to reduce screen time for adults: Tips to Curb Screen Time for Adults - Scripps Health  

• 6 tips to reduce children’s screen time: 6 tips to reduce children's screen time - Mayo Clinic Health System  

• Source: See the Full Picture of Your Health with an Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam | AOA  

• Source: Keep an Eye on Your Vision Health | CDC  

You usually call your doctor when you feel sick or when something’s wrong. So, the idea of visiting them when you feel OK may seem a little counterintuitive. But seeing your primary care provider on the regular can benefit you in ways that you may not realize. Think of your provider as your partner in your long-term health. In additional, to the actual physical exam also serves as a wellness check, allowing you to touch base with your doctor, addressing any health concerns you may have and talk about preventative measures for your future.   

What happens at a physical exam?   

• Your check-up will consist of two main factors. Talking through your recent health history, changes or concerns, and the actual physical exam. During your physical exam you can expect your provider to:   

• Take your pulse  

• Listen to your heart and lungs  

• Check your mouth and ears  

• Feel your lymph nodes  

• Examine your skin  

• Look for swelling in your extremities  

• Conduct a breast exam  

• Check height and weight  

Additional Resources  

• Source: What To Expect at an Annual Physical Exam and Why You Need It – Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland Clinic  

Vaccines have greatly reduced diseases that once routinely harmed or killed babies, children, and adults. People all over the world, including the U.S still become seriously ill or even die from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. It is important to stay up to date on recommended vaccines.  

The protection some vaccines provide can fade over time, and at that time you may need additional vaccine doses (boosters) to maintain protection. For an example, adults should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years to protect against infection from dirty wounds. Talk to your health care provider about vaccination to see whether you might have missed any vaccination or need a booster.  

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from preventable disease. Did you know that vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from certain preventable diseases? Vaccines help your body create protective antibodies-proteins that help it fight off infections.   

By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself and also avoid spreading preventable diseases to other people in your community. Some people cannot get certain vaccines because they are too young or too old or they have a weakened immune system or serious health conditions. Those people are less likely to catch a preventable disease when you and others around them are vaccinated against it. Help protect yourself and the people you love by staying up to date on recommended vaccinations.   

Additional Resources 

Source: Reasons for Adults to be Vaccinated | CDC