Five Things To do for Your Health

Archives Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:07 AM

It's World Health Day, an annual event started by the World Health Organization to promote better living. There are plenty of things you can do to improve your well-being. Here are a few.

EAT BREAKFAST

We're living increasingly rushed lives, and breakfast seems to be first on the chopping block in an effort to save time. But you harm your body by skipping the first meal of the day.

Later in the day, the body reacts in negative ways after being denied start-up fuel. Common effects include headaches, sluggishness and lightheadedness, which all decrease productivity.

Consider your meals as deposits to your energy bank. Making more withdrawals than deposits will result in an empty account.

Still worried about the time factor? Try a nutrient-rich smoothie from Experience Life magazine: Combine a half cup of frozen berries, half a banana, a half cup of yogurt or soy milk and three to four ice cubes and blend for 60-90 seconds.

BE SELFISH

These days, it's all about pleasing others, and we often forget to be good to ourselves. This doesn't need to involve an expensive trip to a day spa. It's the little things that count.

Rather than staying glued to your chair during the workday, get up and chat with a coworker for five minutes. Pack a special treat in your lunch. Get outdoors for a midday stroll.

Whatever you can do to invoke quiet moments in your day will help release tension. And when you're at your best, others around you benefit, too.

GET A CHECKUP

Not just with your physician, although she's an important part of helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle. You also need to check in with your dentist and optometrist.

Preventive dental care not only helps your pearly whites stay cavity-free, it also can spot potential health problems. For example, tooth decay can be an indicator of a nutritional deficiency.

A visit to the optometrist could pick up on the primary stages of diabetes, in which the retina becomes compromised.

Aim for twice-yearly trips to the dentist and annual visits to the optometrist.

WASH UP

Many infectious diseases are passed on by dirty hands.

In one study, researchers found that people who thoroughly washed their hands were 47% less likely to suffer from diarrhea. Another study showed that washing your hands can decrease your chances of being hospitalized by 26%.

Keeping your hands clean seems like a no-brainer, but a 2005 study by the American Society for Microbiology found that only 83% of adults in the United States wash their hands after using the restroom, though 91% said they did.

Scrub up often with good old soap and water.

SAY NO TO SODA

Besides the fact that it can erode the enamel on your teeth, sugary soda has been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Cutting these soft drinks out of your diet means you'll consume less sugar and fewer calories. At a time when our waistlines are bulging like never before, every calorie counts.

Opt for beverages such as unsweetened iced tea, juices with no added sugar and, of course, the always-reliable glass of water.

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Five Things To do for Your Health

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