09/19/2024
FIT TIP SEPTEMBER
How to live healthier, happier and longer
Don't smoke.
1. Although your best plan to live longer is to adopt all four lifestyle factors, if you had to choose one, the researchers say, this is it.
2. Smoking affects coronary arteries and lungs, and smokers also have increased rates of cancer and risk of stroke.
Maintain a healthy weight.
The healthiest people in the study maintained a body mass index (BMI)—a ratio of height to weight that measures body mass—of less than 25.
To find out your BMI, try using a free BMI calculator. To reach (and maintain) a healthy BMI, get busy on lifestyle changes 3 and 4
Get up and move.
Aim for about 30 minutes of activity a day most days of the week. Try breaking it into three 10-minute bouts of activity per day—a 10-minute walk in the morning, another at lunch and a stroll after dinner.
Make healthy food choices.
The study found that the healthiest people followed a Mediterranean-style diet. That means a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, tree nuts with healthy oils, fish (and less red meats), whole-grain carbs and olive oil for cooking.
Get your Health checked
Get an annual physical and blood drawn. also get a mammogram, colon cancer screening, prostate checked.
Forgive
Letting go of grudges has a surprising physical health benefits. Chronic anger is linked to heart disease, stroke, and other health ailments. Forgiveness can reduce anxiety., lower blood pressure and help breath easier.
Keep company with good people
Maximize the amount of time that you spend with people you enjoy being around. Connecting with others who radiate positivity and have similar interests will excite and energize you.
On the other side, people you don't relate to or who have negative outlooks, complain often, or make poor choices will only drain your energy account. Be selective about the company you keep.
It's important to set limits and boundaries to protect yourself and conserve your energy when around people who do not refill your energy reserves.
Get Good Rest
Sleep is very important for your body to restore and recover. It also keeps hunger hormones more in check. Regular sleep of 7-8 hours a night has huge health and wellness benefits including: weight management, improved immune system, clearer skin, mental clarity, physical energy.
Bring on some fun and joy
Take time to plan some fun and joy in your day. It can be anything that makes you happy. Playing a game or sport. Meeting your friend for coffee, reading a great book, playing music in the hose, walk the beach. Play and have fun!