Tips for Healthy Vets

Defines the danger of stress on the body and some strategies to mitigate and promote relaxation.

Maintain a healthy weight with tools like BMI, exercising and maintaining a balanced diet.

Tips for veterans how to live safe and avoid dangerous pitfalls.

Tobacco causes serious health risks. How you can get help to limit tobacco use and stop smoking.

Presents the health danger of excessive alcohol use and steps to moderate use and where to get help.

Living healthy and preventing disease with screening and being current with immunizations.

Encourages patient to take an active role in their healthcare by providing complete information about current health.

Eat wisely to maximize your health. Eat a variety of foods including vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It is important to include fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products in your diet, and limit total salt, fat, sugar, and alcohol.

Avoid inactivity. Some activity is better than none. Aim for at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Every 10 minute session counts. Do strengthening activities at least 2 days each week.

Strive for a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, losing even a little will help. If you are of normal weight, maintain it. Staying in control of your weight helps you be healthy now and in the future.

Quitting tobacco is one of the most significant things you can do to improve your health and your family's health. And as soon as you stop using tobacco, the benefits begin. If you're ready to be tobacco free, your VA health care team can help.

How much is "too much" when it comes to drinking? Your VA provider can help you set healthy limits for alcohol use, and even help you reduce or stop your drinking if you're ready.

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those recently returning from deployment. Here are some ways to be a safer driver

Part of the Healthy Living Series, this video talks about tips for preventing falls.

It's important to get recommended screening tests and immunizations.

"Behind the Scenes" provides a look into one of the three Veterans Crisis Line call centers, where qualified, caring responders answer the calls of Veterans, Service members, and their families and friends in times of crisis. In the video, VA responders, some of them Veterans themselves, share their stories and experiences in providing vital support and referrals for Veterans and their loved ones.

"After the Call" offers a glimpse into the lifesaving work of five Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPCs) — who share their real stories about the work they do every day to support Veterans and their loved ones. Veterans are referred to SPCs through either the Veterans Crisis Line or VA Medical Centers for help navigating VA's network of care. Veterans dealing with mental health conditions and difficult life events and experiences can call on any of the 300 SPCs nationwide to get connected with the most appropriate treatment and support plan.

When you ask how someone is doing and get the response "I'm good," do you ever give it a second thought? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense have come together to create a video that addresses this question. "I'm Good" features actual Veterans and Service members talking about the conflicting feelings that sometimes underlie offhand responses like "I'm good." It also highlights the important role that families, friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances can play in helping to prevent suicide. The video emphasizes the importance of being there for the people in our lives who, though they may not always show it, aren't doing so well.