101 Ways to Get in Better Shape and Stay That Way!
31. Give your Eyes a Rest
Most jobs in today’s society require the use of a computer.
If you sit in front of a computer all day or work any job or hobby that
requires your eyes to work hard, be sure to take breaks throughout your
day. For soothing relief, you can use eye drops, close your eyes
for a few minutes to allow them to rest, and look away to something
other than what you are working on. Also, ensure that you are
working with appropriate lighting, which is an oversight many people
make. These are ways in which to give your eyes a much-needed
break. Eyestrain can cause eye problems as well as headaches.
32. Watch the Sugar
Often people think by drinking fruit juices or eating low-fat fruit
roll-ups and such, they are cutting out or eliminating sugar. The
fact is that some fruit juices have more sugar than a soda.
Reduction of sugar is important to good health; therefore always check
out the sugar content of anything you put in your mouth, even if it
appears to be healthy.
33. Throw out the Scales
If you have bathroom scales, you should either get rid of them or put
them away for a while. Weight does not accurately reflect the
level of your fitness. If you should be measuring anything, it
should be body fat, not the weight.
34. Sunscreen
Most people know that sunscreen is important for shoulders, backs,
legs, and arms when out in the sun but there are other parts of the
body that are often overlooked. When enjoying the beautiful sun,
be sure to use sunscreen on your ears, slips, and even the tops of your
feet as well!
35. Aspirin versus Ibuprofen
Both of these products can help in certain situations. For
example, aspirin is an analgesic, used for pain while ibuprofen is both
an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, the next time you
have to deal with sore muscles after a good workout, remember that you
can get some needed relief from these over the counter remedies.
36. Berries, Berries, Berries
Ah, the sweet taste of fresh berries! Berries are actually good
for you and contain plant nutrients called anthocyanidins. These
are incredible antioxidants and some have high levels of resveratrol,
which helps fight heart disease and cancer. The next time you
want something sweet, juicy, and good for you, reach for blueberries,
grapes, or strawberries, and do not feel guilty!
37. Some like it Hot
Hot, spicy foods that contain curry, chilies, or other hot peppers such
as cayenne, help to trigger endorphins. These hormones are what
make people feel good and well balanced. In fact, endorphins are
like a natural morphine that helps ease pain and provide a sense of
well being. The next time you are feeling a little down or have
some minor pain, try eating something spicy.
38. Beware of Allergies/Reactions
Pay attention to what you eat. With so many wonderful
restaurants, trying new dishes is exciting and fun. However,
several foods are responsible for up to 90% of all allergy
problems. If you notice after eating certain foods you suffer
from headaches, upset stomach, or other problems, make note, you could
be having an allergic reaction. The foods most likely the problem
include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, shellfish, and fish.
For children, the common foods include cow’s milk, soy, eggs, and
wheat.
39. Breast Exams
Make sure you conduct regular breast examines. This can quickly
and painlessly be done during your shower or lying down when going to
bed. Contact your primary physician or gynecologist for a free
pamphlet showing the proper way this is done. Taking proactive
steps could save your life.
40. Asthmatics and Sports
If you suffer from asthma, you already know that some sports should be
avoided, depending on the severity. If you have trouble on a
daily basis and love sports, be encouraged to know that some sports are
asthma-friendly and in fact, can be helpful in that they help make the
lungs stronger. These sports include swimming, cycling, and
fishing, walking, and canoeing. Again, check with your physician
before getting involved with any sport if you have a health condition.
41. Fragrance and Aging
If you want to do everything you can to age gracefully, you should
avoid anything that has the perfumes or lotions of coconut oil and
orange. The reason is that these fragrances contain a substance
called psoralen, which is known to speed up the aging process.
42. Circulation and Lymph Glands
When you finish with your bath or shower, you can actually help your
body’s circulation and improvement in which lymph glands drain,
all by the way that you towel off your body. Very simply, when
drying your arms and legs as well as torso, always towel away toward
the groin for your legs and toward your armpits for the arms and
torso. This might sound funny, but studies have shown this works.
43. Make Time for Intimacy
If you are married, be sure to make time for intimacy in your
relationship. Sex is a great stress reducer and keeps a marriage
happy. Sex is healthy act that should be enjoyed.
44. No More Caffeine
Caffeine can dehydrate your body so try to remove it from your daily
intake. This may require some weaning, but when done, you will
feel better. If you feel that you need something, instead of
grabbing a cub of caffeinated coffee or soda, try drinking herbal tea.
45. Stick with Whole Wheat
Whole wheat is actually better for you. It offers more fiber,
which helps reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer,
diverticulosis, diabetes to name a few. When possible, set aside
the white flour and bread and reach for products that are made from
oats, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, rye, brown rice, millet, and wheat.
46. What are Flavonoids?
These are oestrogen-like compounds found in plants that act as hormone
blockers any place in the body where there are excess hormones that
could cause such cancers such as breast cancer. Flavonoids are
also strong antioxidants, which can be found in foods such as beans,
onions, broccoli, apples, and soy products.
47. Green Tea
Studies have shown that adding green tea to your daily diet provides
several health benefits to include the metabolizing of fat, ease of
digestion, and is a good source of flavonoids. Another benefit is
that tea is a form of natural diuretic, which is very mild and not
harmful.
48. Sodium
As a way of reducing blood pressure, which is bad on the heart, reduce
the amount of sodium (salt) you intake. You may be thinking of
table salt but you should know that many canned vegetables, soups, even
soda, are very high in sodium. Look at your labels and try to cut
back on processed foods. If you have a craving for salt, switch
to natural seasoning and just a little salt.
49. Family History
If you are not sure what your family history is in relation to health,
now is a good time to find out. This can be especially true if
you are adopted or disconnected from immediately family members.
There might be certain types of cancer, diabetes, asthma, or other
illnesses that you could get a jump on if you knew they were prevalent
in your family. Once you discover any risks, talk with your
physician for recommendations.
50. Puffy Eyes
If you battle with puffy eyes or dark circles that make you look worn
out, do not feel alone. This is actually a very common complaint
that can be treated easily. By using a mixture of Vitamin C ester
and alpha-lipoic acid eye therapy, you will find that this antibiotic
helps reduce this puffiness.