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Fitness means keeping your body healthy so it can work at its best.

Healthy habits lead to fitness. 

When you are fit, you have the energy to do the things you want to do.

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Making Healthier Life Choices

Watch this video from OHSU on how to stay healthy between doctor visits.

What is a habit?

It is an action that a person does over and over in the same way.

Once you make a habit, the action becomes easy to do and hard to stop.

Let's talk about ideas for health habits. They are:

  • Eat right,
  • Be active,
  • Sleep well,
  • Take care of your body,
  • Check your stress.

We can also stay away from bad habits and other things that might make us sick.

  • Wash our hands. Keep germs away.
  • Get a flu shot. Don’t get the flu if others get it.
  • Say no to smoking. Keep our lungs and heart healthy.
  • Get check-ups. Check your body to see what more you can do to stay well.

If we practice healthy habits, we get better at being healthy and feeling fit.

my health goals

How can you get started?

Work with your doctor and team to set your own health goals.

Click the blue button and use this form:

Healthy Habits Worksheet

Self Advocates - Here are more tools for you!

Health Habits Action Plan

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Health Habits on simple days

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Health Habits on not simple days

Weekly calendars can help you remember and work on your new habits. 

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Weekly calendars can help you remember and work on your new habits. 

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Weekly calendars can help you remember and work on your new habits. 

Tools for Caregivers

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Support health habits on not simple days.

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Handout for caregivers: supporting persons with mild IDD on not simple days.

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Handout for caregivers: supporting persons with moderate IDD on not simple days.

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Handout for caregivers: supporting persons with severe IDD on not simple days.

Tools for Health Professionals

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Support persons with IDD and their caregivers on not simple days.

Explore more info on Healthy Habits:

Tap to flip the cards

group taking a yoga class

Be active

Info on:

  • CDC info on activity
  • Blend your type of exercise
  • Examples for stretching
  • School of Strength at Special Olympics
  • Adaptive ideas
bowl of sweet potatoes, leafy greens, grains, avocado and onion

Eat healthy

Info on:

  • Portion and Food Groups
  • Party Foods
  • 5 a day the color way
  • Healthy Tips
woman drinking water

Hydrate

Info on:

  • Choose your drinks
  • Drink enough
picture of hand washing

Hygiene

Info on:

  • Wash up
  • Hand washing
  • Bathing
  • Hair and nails
  • Clean your teeth
  • Protect your skin
  • Pick your clothes
person meditating and a journal laid out on bed

Manage Stress

Info on:

  • Mind and body
  • Check your stress
  • Stress relief tips
alarm clock next to a bed

Sleep well

Info on:

  • You need sleep
  • Get to sleep
  • Stay asleep
teenager with down syndrome using smartphone near friend cooking dough in kitchen

Stay Well

Info on:

  • Sick days
  • Bad habits pros & cons
  • Be safe
Restroom

Go to the Bathroom

Info on:

  • Pee
  • Poop
  • Periods