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Easy Ways to Better Health
Steps you can take today

The saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is used to encourage healthy eating. Although most people know something about health, there's always more to learn. And we must keep in mind that many people have trouble doing what's best.

Even a few minutes of your time can show great ways to stay healthy. For example, it's easy to eat healthier food. You can:

  • Choose fresh fruit instead of fatty desserts.
  • Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
  • Drink water or low-fat milk with food, not sugary drinks.
  • Try to eat breakfast every day or at least drink a nutritional supplement.
  • Eat sweets less often and in smaller amounts.
  • Try not to eat out all the time, especially avoiding fatty, fast foods.
  • A healthy diet should have 20 to 25 percent of calories from fat, but choose good" fats such as nuts, seeds, canola and olive oils. Good fats are unsaturated.
  • Saturated and trans fats are harmful to arteries.
  • Eat more vegetables, including fresh salads.
    Reduce your intake of animal fats from dairy and meat products.

There are other easy ways to improve your health. Even a little more activity is very beneficial. You can:

  • Take a walk or bicycle ride.
  • Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk when you're not in a rush.
  • Join a fitness club.
  • Have a workout buddy who reminds you of the things you're supposed to do.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Join a dance class.
  • Consider swimming, the ultimate low-impact aerobics exercise.

The whole family can enjoy:

  • Raking leaves or keeping a garden. Gardening is great exercise and can grow fresh, healthy vegetables for you to enjoy.
  • Enrolling the kids in sports, martial arts, hiking, and other fun activities.
  • Volunteering as a family for a local park cleanup.

It is beneficial to keep a healthy, clean home by:

  • Not keeping spoiled food in the refrigerator.
  • Keeping your body, hands and eating utensils clean.
  • Throwing the garbage out regularly.
  • Not leaving dirty dishes or food out in the open to avoid the spread of rodents and insects.

Ways to add more years to your life:

  • Decreasing stress.
  • Laughing more.
  • Sleeping longer when possible.

As mentioned above, there are simple ways to make your health and your life better. When making time for something important, be sure to think of creative, easy ways of getting them done. Something too difficult will make a person reluctant to do it. Turn it into something to enjoy!

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by Denessa Bachelor, Hearts & Minds intern
Copyrights: Entire website © 1997 - 2007 by Hearts and Minds Network, Inc., [this will vary, depending on whose artwokrs are being used] photos © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. This web page - http://www.heartsandminds.org/self/health.htm - online June 17, 2007, latest changes June 17, 2007

  

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