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