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10 Essential Health Tips
(The Basics to Practice Every Day)
"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything."
Arabian
Proverb
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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. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the
day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Protect Yourself from Pollution ...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.
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Wear Your Seat Belt...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.
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Floss Your Teeth...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.
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Avoid Excessive Drinking ...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.
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Keep a Positive Mental Outlook ...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.
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Choose Your Parents Well ...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.
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