Health Safety Tips & Advice
Living Longer – Living Better
None of us lives forever, but thanks to advances in medical science most of us have the potential to live longer and healthier lives than previous generations. And taking a few precautions and adopting a balanced, healthy lifestyle will add quality to the years we have.
Eat a balanced diet.
Learn about the benefits of eating a diet that emphasizes healthy choices – grains, fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, and chicken – and avoids excessive use of fats and sugars. Once you make healthy eating a priority you’ll be rewarded by better health, increased feelings of well-being, and reduced risk of adverse health conditions. U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines to a healthy diet, available on their website mypyramid.gov, provide a good starting point for nutrition planning for yourself and your family.
Get regular exercise.
You don’t have to be training for the Olympics to get healthy exercise. You might join a gym for access to healthy exercise and trainers to advise you. But something so simple as a brisk one- or two-mile daily walk, a bike ride, or a regular swim will stimulate your heart and lungs and strengthen your bones and muscles. Moderate changes in your daily routines can also contribute to your health: park farther away from your workplace or shopping, take the stairs instead of the elevator, work in the yard or plant a garden. Your exercise program is limited only by your creativity and desire!
Get regular medical & dental checkups.
As inconvenient as they might be and as much as we may dread them, medical and dental checkups can improve our over-all health and reduce the incidence of serious health problems. Minor changes in health conditions caught and treated early will not develop into potentially disabling or even fatal conditions later on.
Teach your children about healthy living.
Our lifestyle is shaped by what we learn as children. So if your children see you eating sensibly and exercising regularly, those habits are likely to be part of their lifestyle as they grow up. Serve your child a diet with a variety of healthy food choices and allow them to learn how to help prepare simple foods. Their involvement will increase their interest in healthy eating. Encourage your children to participate in sports and other physical activities and games. For example, encourage them to walk or ride a bike instead of riding in the car for short distances, or play tag or racing games instead of sitting for hours in front of the television.
Play with your kids.
Get outside and play with your children. You accomplish so much with this simple formula. Your physical and mental health is enhanced because of the physical activity and stress relief. Your children benefit by the time spent with you and by your good example of healthy activity. And both of you benefit from the opportunity to form a bond of love and trust that will help your child mature to a healthy and stable adulthood.
Feed your soul.
Most health care professionals realize that it takes more than just physical health to be an emotionally well rounded person. Whether it’s formal organized religious practice or just taking time for meditation and quiet contemplation, you’ll find life less stressful and more rewarding when you pay attention to your inner self. In addition, finding time in your busy life to pursue your “passions” – hobbies, study, travel, recreational activities – refreshes your soul and keeps you at your peak for the day-to-day routines.
