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Choosing to Live
Better
Copyright © All rights reserved
By Beth Lanier
Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.
A good wellness program should
relieve stress, not cause it! If plans to overhaul your life are
overwhelming you, then sit down, take a deep breath and focus on this
thought: Simple is profound. Living healthier does not have to cause
complications. Most doctors agree that making simple choices about the
following basics are the real keys to living a longer, higher-quality life:
o
Exercise
-
Incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise
into your day
-
If the thought of going to a traditional gym
doesn’t excite you, then walk more, take the stairs, engage in active play
with your kids, ride a bike. It doesn’t matter how you exercise; just find
something you like and do it consistently.
o
Diet
-
Research has shown that small, frequent meals
are better than one large meal for maintaining energy and appetite
suppression. Eat three healthy meals and two to three healthy snacks per
day.
-
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole-grain
foods that contain fiber.
-
Reduce your intake of sodium, sugar and
saturated and trans fats
-
Drink 64 ounces of water daily
o
Rest
-
Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night can
have a significant impact on your overall health and mental awareness. Your
body is working hard for you; give it a well-earned night off.
-
Take frequent stretch breaks throughout the
day to improve circulation, re-energize and fight mental fatigue and stress.
-
Set some downtime aside each day to relax,
reflect and renew your spirit.
o
Lifestyle Choices
-
If you are a smoker, then making a decision to
quit will have a greater impact than any other on your health and quality of
life. No matter how long or how much you have smoked, much of the bad
effects of smoking can be reversed in just 5 years of your last cigarette.
-
Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from skin
cancer and delay signs of aging
-
Live safely. Wear seatbelts, stay within
speed limits and pay attention to potential hazards around you.
o
Practice Preventive Medicine
-
Get a physical yearly and know your body’s
strengths and weaknesses.
-
Address concerns and potential problems
proactively! Most diseases can be cured or minimized with early detection.
Incorporating these simple
suggestions can have a profoundly positive impact on your life. And the
healthier you are, the more profoundly positive impact you can have on
others.
For more information about
Ken Chapman and Associates’ Leadership Development Programs, contact Ken
Chapman at 205.366.0265 or email Ken at
kchapman@leaderscode.com.
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