With a healthy lifestyle

The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents, or other family members died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract your genetic pool.

1. Brush twice a day -  Poor dental health is a direct link to heart disease. Brushing and flossing regularly helps prevent the accumulation of bacteria that breakdown the enamel of the teeth causing dental caries, and cause gum disease.

2. Keep a positive attitude – Attitude, it is said, is the measure of our altitude of achievement. How we handle stress depends on our attitude, and with an optimistic attitude we are better able to cope with the stresses in our lives. A positive attitude reduces our risk of developing some chronic diseases, as well as depression and anxiety. 

3. Stress Management – Yes, stress can be managed. Along with positive thoughts, and an optimistic outlook, spend time each day doing something you enjoy.  Soaking in a hot tub, walking on the beach or at the park, reading for fun. Visiting with a friend, playing with your kids or grands. Listen to soothing music, watch a funny movie, get a massage, a facial or a new hairstyle, might be for you.  Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting angry.  Avoid the company of difficult people, when you can.  

4. Exercise daily - Exercise for strength, flexibility, improved metabolism, digestion, stress relief. It protects the bones, joints, and increases oxygen to the heart and lungs. Helps remove toxins and waste from the body. Challenge yourself to find ways to be more active. Climb stairs instead of taking escalators or elevators. Walk the dog, run around with your kids, tossing balls, and mow the lawn. Anything that moves you counts. Try exercising for 30 - 45 minutes every day, consistency counts.  Remember we are ruled by the habits we establish.

5. Cut out the bad fats - which are harmful to the heart, lungs, and immune system.       Avoid fried foods, hamburgers, all fatty meats such as pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs,   sausage, and wings.  Sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, and full-fat dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream. Select low fat options. Enjoy nuts, butter and sauces in moderation. 

6. Don’t Smoke, and avoid 2^nd hand smoke, which causes – breathing problems, allergies, heart attack, stroke, leathery skin, many types of cancer, and infant mortality. Not to mention smelly clothes, skin, and hair.

7. Avoid alcohol  - which kills the brain cells.  Recent studies show that the nutrients in red wine, red grapes, and other colorful berries, contain anti-oxidants which help protect against heart disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease and some forms of cancer. Eat the fruit, pass on the juice.

8. Protect your environment from pollutants -   We can't live in a pollution-free environment in our cities, but we can avoid smoking, smoke-filled rooms, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy roadways.  Exercise outside in good weather, and indoors when the conditions outside are not so good. Growing plants in the yard offer a hedge of protection from street pollution, dirt, and noise. Indoor plants reduce stress and have beneficial health influences.  Studies show that stress is reduced in an office with plants, and NASA proved that indoor plants reduce many toxic chemicals in the air.  Drink good clean water; with no chlorine, or fluoride.  Then watch the chemicals, cleaning products and other environmental pollutants, you bring into your home. Air freshener spray is a big one.

9.  Eat fresh, clean, food. – Clean, fresh organic food is the way to go. A diet filled with a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, not only offers vitamins, minerals, fiber, and flavor, but also powerful phytonutrients. These colorful plant chemicals help the body fight disease, and help slow the signs of aging. Choosing different colors also helps you get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables your body needs every day for good health. Adding nuts, whole grains, seeds,  and wild fish; you have the diet of persons who live in splendid health and full of years.

10. Sleep at night - Regular, quality sleep at night is critical to maintaining and restoring health. Good sleep is promoted by avoiding stimulants such as tea, coffee and alcohol, afternoon naps and exercising too close to bedtime. Eat and exercise at least 3 hours before retiring. Create a relaxing environment with soothing music and a coolish temperature. Go to bed at the same time and arise at the same time, each day.

11. Strong Social Ties  –  A healthy social calendar is vital to maintaining health, and a beautiful quality of life.  If you are sitting around the house, cleaning and mopping and watching TV for days at a time, not seeing and talking to friends, family and folk who care about you, here’s what to do.  Make a list of friends to contact and suggest a time for catching up. Tell them about your situation and let them know what they can do to help you.  If you don’t tell them what you need, how will they know?  Keep a regular schedule of contacts throughout the week. Get together for lunch, coffee, or a walk.  Plan ahead to avoid too much alone time. Or, get yourself busy by offering to volunteer, join a support group, or re-kindle a hobby or other special interest you’ve set aside.

These basic tips can put you on the road to creating a healthy lifestyle, and as new habits set in, life becomes more of what we want, and less of what we don’t want.  Each person controls his own destiny, controlled by lifestyle choices. The Word says to “make a difference between the clean and the unclean”, we can apply this in many areas of our lives, not only in our food choices, and witness how much better our lives will become.