Good health is a goal toward which many of us strive. After all, we know that, in great measure, our physical well-being determines the quality of our life. But deciding which approach to a healthy lifestyle will best improve or maintain personal health is no easy task. It is virtually impossible to read a newspaper, watch television, listen to the radio, or browse in a bookstore without being bombarded by information from experts and so-called experts on the art of staying healthy. It is no wonder that confusion abounds.

Are vitamins the elixir of the Fountain of Youth? Will regular attendance at a spa, gym, or fitness center keep us in shape, or is jogging or running more sensible? Should we worry most about our weight, our cholesterol intake, the food we eat, or the air we breathe? If we give up that cocktail before dinner, eat organic foods, get regular medical checkups, and follow the advice in a bestselling exercise manual, are we guaranteed to live a longer, healthier life?

Unfortunately, the answers we hear to these questions too often come from entrepreneurs, advertisers, or well-meaning, but ill-informed advisers rather than medical experts.

The truth is that there is no secret or complex trick to optimizing your chances of living a long and healthy life. All it takes is following such simple health habits as avoiding smoking, drinking in moderation, eating a well-balanced diet, controlling weight, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. By understanding the basic principles of healthy living and applying them with sense and moderation, people can vastly improve the quality and may well increase the length of their lives.