My health insurance just went up (again). I received a separate letter today from AARP—the carrier for my United Healthcare policy—that contained a card entitled, “6 simple things you can do every day to improve your health.” The credit is to Dr. Oz, whose short, punchy article was taken from a 2010 edition of AARP The Magazine.
Because the holidays are upon us, and because we’ll be facing stress and other challenges like too much rich food, I wanted to repeat these six tips because…they bear repeating. I’ll interject a few of my own thoughts, but then, that’s what I do.
And you may think that if you hear some of them one more time, you’ll scream, but please don’t. Please think about them, and consider incorporating them into your daily routine, if you haven’t already. You’re in charge here.
Let’s begin
1. Walk 30 minutes (or more!): It will help your heart, weight and sex life. It will brighten your outlook and your attitude, and give you a sense of control. Some studies find it may help save off Alzheimer’s. Walk on, walk on…
2. Brush and floss: Get rid of the other 60 percent of germs between your teeth, and remember that gum health contributes to overall health.
3. Drink two cups of green tea: This may be the miracle beverage, with new research emerging constantly about all the things it can do, like reduce cancer risk, lower cholesterol and much more. Challenge: It contains caffeine, and if you’re sensitive to caffeine like me—it may raise your blood pressure, as it does mine. Talk to your healthcare provider.
4. Add some supplements to your regimen: 400mg of DHA omega 3s, 1,000IU vitamin D, and women especially, 1,000mg calcium. If you want to take more supplements, please check with your doctor.
5. Sleep seven to eight hours nightly: Your body’s busy, even then, repairing cells, processing information (besides that nightmare you’re having), raising growth hormone levels that Dr. Oz says can increase bone density and decrease body fat—a win-win!
6. Meditate for five minutes: This really works. It reduces stress, helps you center and focus, be in the moment and find purpose. Everyone needs purpose.
Be good to yourself. We love you.
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(Photo courtesy: YELLOW FLOWER © Barry Duncan | Dreamstime.com)