I was perusing through a copy of the most recent MEN’S HEALTH mag and came upon an article written by Dr. Oz. Most of you, if not all of you, have heard of Dr. Oz through articles or watching Oprah. I appreciate much of what he has to say. This particular article impressed me and I want to share it with you. It is his 25 health tips for life. Take heed:
1. Laugh: Laughing eases stress, lowers blood pressure, promotes social bonding.
2. Breakfast: Don’t skip it! Food and fiber in the morning means less hunger later in the day. How about steel cut oatmeal mixed with raisins, walnuts and flaxseed oil.
3. Sleep: You need at least 7 hrs a night. Sleep helps you live longer, lowers stress, sharpens memory, and reduces cravings. Set a bedtime and stick with it.
4. Admire your work: Don’t be so trigger happy with the flusher. Turn around and look at your poop, which speaks volumes about your overall health.
5. Don’t pamper your back: This is my favorite! Bed rest actually weakens back muscles. You need to move!
6. Taste the colors: Foods with bright colors are not only nice to look at but are good for you, packed with vitamins and minerals. Skittles don’t count!
7. Brushing: Brushing is not enough…..Floss, floss, and floss some more. Dangers of skipping floss go beyond hygiene. Bacteria left behind can increase risk of heart disease.
8. Yoga: Join a yoga class. We have one at 7pm every Wed evening. Once again it eases stress, lowers heart rates, increases flexibility.
9. Take a big belly breath: Take a big breath through your nose, your lungs will fill with nitric oxide (found in the back of your nose) that helps open blood vessels’
10. Don’t be an island: If you face life’s stresses alone, you will become old fast.
11. Avoid fad diets: It’s all about eating clean and cutting back on calories.
12. Be a smart patient: Your Dr. will keep you ion good health, but ultimately the responsibility falls on you. Get your check ups, get a second opinion, educate yourself.
13. Lose the beer belly: Do you buckle your pants below your waist? Measure yourself around the belly button, that # should be less than ½ your height.
14. Go green: Green tea is packed with cancer-stopping polyphenols that black tea doesn’t offer. Green tea also offers a dose of alertness.
15. Sweat: If you can sweat just an hour a week, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits: reduced risk of heart attack, better mood, lower blood pressure.
16. Save: Personal finance can be a #1 stressor, so put some money away for a rainy day. You’ll establish a major comfort zone with major health benefits.
17. Sex: Have as much as possible! (I like this one too) We all know the benefits of this.
18. Know your numbers: I’m talking about blood pressure (below115over75) LDL cholesterol (under100) resting heart rate (under 70) blood sugar (under 100)
19. Weights: I like this one too. Lift weights, once again you better know all the benefits that come from lifting.
20. Grab your nuts: Nuts are among the best sources of healthful fats and protein.
21. Grab your nuts: Seriously, men grab your nuts. Testicular cancer is common in men 15-35 age group. Feel for any lumps or bumps. (women the same goes for you, feel your breasts)
22. Dance: Even if you can’t, and most of us can’t…just dance. I do it all the time at the studio.
23. Cardio: Walk, walk walk
24. Cook: Cook your meals instead of ordering pick-up
25. Pop some pills: insurance against deficiency, take a multi vitamin/mineral supplement