New Year, New You

There are a lot things that we can't prevent, but there are a lot of things that we can do to increase our chances of staying healthy.  Make this the year that you do those things.

1.  Exercise regularly.  The benefits of exercise is not just losing weight.  Obviously, maintaining a healthy weight is a benefit, but exercise keeps your heart healthy, strengthens your immune system, and has mental and emotional benefits as well.

2.  Eat healthy.  It's not that heard, and I am not saying cut out all junk food all the time.  Just make healthy choices the majority of the time.  Eat your three to five servings of vegetables and fruit a day.  It is amazing the health benefits in fruits and vegetables.  And if eating them can keep you out of the doctor's office, well, what's bad about that?  Limit the junk food in your house.  And only have times that you indulge.  You'll find that eating "right" eliminates the need for those salty chips and the chocolate chip cookies.  Eating healthy also sets an example for your children.  When you eat right, so do they.  And passing on your good habits will help generations to come.

3.  Make lifestyle changes.  I am certainly not saying become a teetotaler or anything, but it has been shown that alcohol in large amounts are linked to certain cancers and other health problems.  Limit your alcohol intake...you can still have fun!  And smoking....commit to quit.  Nothing good comes from smoking.  It causes teeth and gum problems, throat and tongue cancers, and 80% of lung cancers are caused from cigarette smoke.  If you smoke, stop.

4.  Find the time to relax.  This can be achieved through yoga or meditation or a combination of both.  Take time each day to "de-stress."  Stress is a leading cause of all health problems.  Try to eliminate the stress in your life and you will see changes in your overall physical and mental health.

5.  Maintain a positive attitude.  it has been proven that people with a positive attitude are overall more healthy than those with a negative attitude.  So start looking at that glass half full.

Again, there is not magic pill that can guarantee that you won't get cancer or heart disease but you can take control of your health.  Be proactive - and get moving!!!