10 Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)
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.
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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