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10 Essential Health Tips
"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has
everything." -Arabian Proverb
 1.
Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body.
Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or
elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with
friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not
only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in
small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in
the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or
kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile,
move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other
fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and
sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk
and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and
sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces
should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in
lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free
cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean,
fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960
when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful
to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of
tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge
in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the
Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of
late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the
false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers.
Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next
one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms.
Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive
thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak
in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good
book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing
music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a
haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or
getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible.
Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then
float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid
smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway
fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise
outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air
conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of
shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from
the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in
your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do
pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help
alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the
day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and
teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's
because people who floss tend to be more health conscious
than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your
body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day
(two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more
than that can cause other health problems such as liver and
kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine
should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and
healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought
for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or
singing. More...
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But
just because one or both of your parents died young in ill
health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool
handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for
healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
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