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

1. Move MoreMake 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!

2. Cut FatAvoid 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!

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Wear Your Seat BeltStatistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate
potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your TeethRecent 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

Stress Relief

The Wise Man and The Fool
An inspirational poem that will make you smile, but one that also contains common sense with a moral in its verses. Find stress relief in the poets words and be reminded that happiness does not mean more of things. Enjoy!

An Inspirational Poem

The Wise Man and The Fool

by John McLeod

Said the wise man to the fool one day:

"I've got a hundred candles,

And lots of copper candlesticks with ornamental handles,

They cost me every cent I had But I shall be all right,

And in the darkness of the eve I'll have a splendid light."
The fool said: "Yes, you may be wise,

But then again, p'raps not,

Only pence had I to buy, one candle's all I got,

But then, I bought some matches too

And you, the silly goose, Bought none, and so without a light

Your candles are no use!"

The moral of the story Is simplicity's defence
For even the buffooning clown May have some common sense!

The wise man and the village fool, But tell me which is which?
The one with only coppers? Or the other very rich?

Brainy Quotes

Life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.
By William James.