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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.