Health Tips

 10 Super Simple Health Tips

11. Drink water. Do you sometimes go for hours or even an entire day without drinking water? Getting enough water throughout the day is important to maintain balanced body fluids, energize your muscles, stay alert, eliminate toxins, and hydrate your skin, among other benefits. Carry a stainless steel (no plastic bottles!) water bottle with you and add a bit of lemon or lime plus ice if you prefer.

12. Chew, chew, chew. If you want to improve your digestion, avoid heartburn, help with weight loss, and get more nutrients from your food, then chew every bite thoroughly.

13. Wash your hands with plain soap. Plain natural soap (and not antibacterial soap) and water are all you really need to clean your hands. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a rule that manufacturers must remove triclosan and triclocarban from over-the-counter antibacterial hand and body washes, along with more than a dozen other ingredients. 

14. Go nuts. When you want a snack, go nuts. If you choose raw or dry roasted nuts (not peanuts) over chips, candy, and other sweets, you get more than a good source of protein; they are also a great source (depending on the nut) of zinc, iron, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium. New research shows that chowing down on a handful of nuts five times a week may reduce inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

15. Have more sex. The operative word here is “more,” since you already may be having sexual relations at least once or twice a week. That’s the amount usually associated with health benefits, including a healthier immune system, less risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, improved sleep, lower risk of prostate cancer, increased intimacy, better bladder control (women), and pain relief. 

16. Begin with salad. Start your lunch and/or dinner with a salad chock full of dark leafy greens, several of your salad favorites (e.g., tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, mushrooms, shredded carrots), and a touch of olive oil and vinegar. Beginning with a salad helps ensure you get at least some of your daily veggie needs as well as fiber and other nutrients. In addition, it can fill you up and help reduce calorie consumption.

17. Volunteer. If you have a cause or activity that interests you or are passionate about, then there’s likely an organization or group that would love to have you volunteer with them. Volunteering has been shown to provide physical, cognitive, and social benefits, especially for older adults. People who volunteer often feel a greater sense of satisfaction with self and life, have lower stress, better mood, feel they have better control over their health and have an enriched sense of purpose.

18. Avoid secondhand smoke. It’s great if you don’t smoke, but secondhand smoke carries the same nicotine and other toxins as those inhaled by smokers. The American Cancer Society warns that “there’s no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” so avoid it whenever possible.

19. Explore essential oils. The aromas emitted by certain essential oils have the power to ease tension, boost your mood, help with insomnia, beat fatigue, and settle an upset stomach, among other benefits. Rather than reach for some over-the-counter medication or suffer in silence, inhale lavender for tension and insomnia, rose oil for mood, ginger for stomach upset, and peppermint for fatigue.

20. Stretch. It’s not just for athletes! Get out of your chair and stretch, or stretch from a seated position, multiple times throughout the workday. Stretching stimulates circulation of blood and lymph, improves mood, gives you an energy burst, enhances flexibility and performance, and helps you feel more alert.