Virginia

Guard your health

Protect yourself from colorectal cancer by getting your timely screening. If you are between 50 and 75, have a screening every one to two years. You and your doctor can decide which tests are best for you. Learn more about preventive care screenings.

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Improve how you feel with positive thinking

Positive, healthy thinking can help you cope with a health problem by changing your perception, which affects how you feel.

Get started with positive thinking. Here are the steps for one technique you can use:

1. Stop. When you notice a negative thought, stop it in its tracks and write it down.
2. Ask. Look at that thought and ask yourself whether it is helpful or unhelpful right now.
3. Choose. Choose a new, helpful thought to replace a negative one.

Learn more about the power of positive thinking.

Managing anxiety
People who suffer from anxiety disorders have severe anxiety that interferes with their lives. Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear, uneasiness, or concern that something bad is about to happen. Healthy lifestyle changes may help you feel better. Try these tips:

• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice. Learn more about fitness.
• Eat a healthy diet. Include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your diet each day. Find healthy recipes.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule. Try for 8 hours of sleep each night. Guided imagery can help you sleep better.
• Find ways to manage stress, such as relaxation exercises. HealthMedia® Relax® can help you get started.
• Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs.

Learn more about different types of anxiety. If you think you are suffering from anxiety, speak with your primary care physician, who can help develop the right treatment plan for you.

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Take a healthy living class

As a Kaiser Permanente member, you can choose from a variety of healthy living classes at little or no cost. Below is a partial list for the upcoming month in your area.

Learn about additional classes and any class fees.

To register for InStep and nutrition classes, call the appointment line at 703-359-7878 or
1-800-777-7904, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For prenatal classes, speak with your obstetrician/gynecologist to register. For all other classes, call the health education automated line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 301-816-6565 or 1-800-444-6696. Please leave a message and someone will call you back within 24 business hours.

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Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, Maryland 20852