Healthy Living Guide: Food, Movement, Sleep and Family Health
This guide gathers what we have written on everyday healthy living: eating, moving, sleep, water and family habits. The quick answers cite the CDC and NHLBI; the FAQ adds the FDA and NCCIH. It is general information, not medical advice, and our editorial standards show how we work.
By Olivia
This article is general information, not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or recommend doses for any condition. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist or pediatrician about your own situation. See our editorial standards.
Quick answers
- CDC recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, about 30 minutes on 5 days, plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least 2 days per week. — Source: CDC adult physical activity guidelines
- CDC says children and adolescents 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. — Source: CDC children physical activity guidelines
- CDC lists 7 or more hours of sleep for adults ages 18 to 60, and suggests a consistent bed and wake time and turning off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed. — Source: CDC sleep
- CDC says daily water intake recommendations vary by age, sex, pregnancy status, activity level and breastfeeding status, and that plain water counts toward the daily total. — Source: CDC water and healthier drinks
- NHLBI’s DASH eating plan lists a 2,300 mg daily sodium target and says 1,500 mg lowers blood pressure even further. — Source: NHLBI DASH eating plan
Start here
Eating well
Anti-inflammatory eating for people over 50, high-protein breakfasts, what makes a food ultra-processed, and whether banana belongs in a smoothie.
Healthy shopping and kitchen
A grocery-store look at Costco foods and blood pressure.
Moving more
Walking, summer hiking and starting exercise again after pregnancy.
Sleep and water
How much water you need, based on what dietitians recommend.
Family health
Daily habits for raising healthier, happier kids.
Myths and claims to check
Common healthy-eating myths, and a worked example of checking a health-product claim after one brand closed.
Popular questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I drink a day?
CDC says daily water intake recommendations vary by age, sex, pregnancy status, activity level and breastfeeding status, and that plain water counts toward the daily total. Our post on how much water you need goes further.
How many hours of sleep do adults need?
The CDC lists 7 or more hours of sleep for adults ages 18 to 60.
How much exercise do adults need each week?
CDC recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, about 30 minutes on 5 days, plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least 2 days per week.
What counts as an ultra-processed food?
FDA and USDA were working on a uniform federal definition of ultra-processed foods and issued a Request for Information on July 24, 2025. FDA’s page, last updated 09/18/2025, still describes the definition as in development. Our post on what makes a food ultra-processed goes further. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/ultra-processed-foods
Is detox real?
NCCIH says studies of detox programs are few and low quality and cites a 2015 review that found no compelling research supporting detox diets for eliminating toxins from the body.