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| Health Tips Live Better, Longer! "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." The Apostle John pronounced that blessing of health, prosperity, and well-being on Christ's believers in 3 John 2, KJV. Here is a list of EIGHT EASY THINGS to do to promote good health and long life while we wait for our Lord's soon return! 1. PROPER DIET Few things impact the human body so profoundly as what we eat. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity - to name a few - are the top killers today. Doctors warn the American population about the consequences of their growing girth, and many school districts throughout the U.S. are eradicating "junk" foods both in vending machines and school lunch programs in an effort to stem the tide of childhood obesity. Adults should do likewise. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, various whole grains, and limited intake of healthfully-prepared smaller portions of chicken, turkey, and fish - will greatly enhance and improve overall health. While limited intake of red meat is permitted, do eat it sparingly if at all and avoid anything fried. Keep an eye towards fat grams, cholesterol, and salt/sodium content in every meal. Millions choose the vegetarian lifestyle for overall benefits (and many out of "kindness" to animals). 2. EXERCISE Doctors now know the importance of as little as 30 minutes a day of light to moderate exercise. Walking is the champ when it comes to physical activity and almost everyone can participate, even a large number of the elderly. It is reported that three 10 minute exercise sessions a day are as beneficial as one 30 minute session. Walking at lunch or after dinner, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking the longest distance to the entrance, and even walking to work [where practical] are all ways each of us can add some phsyical activity to our daily routine. 3. PLENTY OF WATER Most people don't drink enough of this life-giving liquid. While each person should seek counsel from a physician for indivudual needs, general daily requirements are eight 8-ounce glasses a day for adults. With the abundance of bottled water available everywhere for modest cost, virtually everyone can have water at hand available to drink throughout the day. For further convenience there are several water-filter pitchers and filtration systems that attach directly to the kitchen faucet available at most stores for only a few dollars. These will filter out bad taste, chemicals, lead, and other hazardous pollutants too often found in tap water. Replacement filters also are available for these "do it yourself" systems at nominal cost. 4. SUNSHINE This abundant resource is free for the taking and helps our bodies absord Vitamin D. Moderation is the key word with depleting Ozone making sun exposure extremely dangerous. Limit direct exposure (15 minutes is often recommended) and be sure to use waterproof sunscreen with SPF30 or higher. Avoid the deadly rays between 10 am and 3 pm, and do NOT sunbathe or use tanning beds! [Note: a tan is not "healthy" - it is irreversible damage to the skin that can lead to a prematurely dry, aged appearance and, worse, to deadly cancer!] 5. FRESH AIR This boon to good health is easily included in our list of 8 Health Tips with Tips #2. and #4. A walk in the sunshine is beneficial three ways: exercise, sunshine, and fresh air. Too many people spend far too much time in the cramped confines of offices, schools, and houses closed to the weather virtually year round, and lung cancer deaths is on the increase among nonsmokers as the result. For those who live in heavily polluted areas, try to get away regularly to "the great outdoors" away from smog, cigarette smoke, industrial waste, and other pollutants. 6. ENOUGH REST Doctors and researchers now say that most people, including children, are sleep-deprived. This is driving up health care costs by causing related illnesses and accidents. Employers report more accidents on the job and decline in worker productivity. Government figures indicate that the day after Daylight Savings Time begins is the deadliest for automobile accidents. People who already don't get enough sleep lose yet another hour when we move our clocks forward one hour in the spring. Receommendations for most people are between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. See a health care provider if you have difficulty sleeping or any sleep- related disorder. 7. MODERATION The old fashioned word for "moderation" was "temperance" but given our society's gluttony for everything, perhaps "moderation in all things" is best for tip number seven. Certainly everyone knows the evils and destruction caused by the abuse of alcohol and drugs so the best fix for those problems is indeed "temperance" - abstinence from stimulants that are harmful to the body and create destructive behavior while under their influence. Over indulgence in rich foods - hence the obesity problem - is another area where moderation is greatly needed! 8. TRUST IN GOD AND HIS POWER Our last tip perhaps is the most important of all. Probably everyone has heard stories from the medical community of how patients have been brought from death's door seemingly by the power of prayer alone. Many have experienced healing themselves or in the lives of a family member or friend. Belief in God makes life bearable. We are far more likely to weather the storms of life - and the likes of Hurricane Katrina - when we know that ". . . all things work together for good to them that love God. . . " [Romans 8:28, KJV]. There is just something about a "spiritual connection" that keeps us grounded and the hope that faith offers keeps us young at heart and ever looking towards a better future! |
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