Everyone can improve their health by simply following these guidelines. Be optimistic, eat right, exercise, sleep well, and find purpose for your life. Follow these and you will become healthier, happier, and more productive.
1. Put away fear and worry and find joy. There are health professionals who recommend not watching or listening to the news. Reading the daily newspaper in the morning starts your day off on a negative path. The news brings you crisis after crisis, tearing you down.
Change your thinking to one of optimism and gratitude. Thinking of things you can be thankful for is a great exercise every morning. Be thankful for life, for family, for the ability to see and to think. It doesn't matter what you put in the blank. The important thing is to develop a thankful heart.
2. Eat right. Eat more whole foods, less processed foods, and overcome your addictions to junk food. That is hard to hear and perhaps even harder to follow, but it is so vitally important to your overall health.
Besides eating the right foods you need to be careful not to overeat. Overeating causes us to age faster, increases wrinkles, and greatly increases our chances of acquiring many diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. If you need to, decrease the amount of food you eat.
At the same time increase the percentage of whole foods in your diet. Whole foods improve your health and improve your immune system. Eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day and reduce the amount of sugar and salt in your diet. You will notice a difference in your energy level and your overall health.
3. Get adequate sleep. If you do not sleep enough your body is not going to function efficiently. It will even slow down your metabolism and make it harder for you to lose extra weight. Also, a lot of hormones are secreted in high levels during sleep which allows your body to recuperate and repair. For example, if you are an athlete or a body builder, not getting enough sleep will increase your chances of injury or failure.
4. Exercise regularly. The average person should try to exercise every day, raising their heart rate a little bit and keeping it there for 20 minutes or so. If you cannot do it every day or every other day, at least do it every three days. Studies have shown that after being sedentary for 72 hours the body's metabolism starts to decrease.
5. Find purpose in your life. Even people who have experienced horrendous illness have been able to survive for a long, long time because they had a reason to live. They have become incredibly useful individuals within their family and social and community spheres despite their illness.
These five guidelines are very basic and within reach of most people. Followed closely they can lead to a longer, healthier and a more fulfilling life.
Related Articles
This Why Dental Hygiene is Important for your Kids
By: Joe Stewart | 17/10/2007 | Health
Not having proper oral hygiene can effect both you and your children in two ways. Lack of good oral health is imortant, of course, but did you know that...
Discount Dental Plans - This is Why They're an Excellent Insurance Alternative
By: Joe Stewart | 26/10/2007 | Health
Read this if you've been thinking about getting a dental plan.
How to Get the Best Deals on Discount Dentures
By: Joe Stewart | 30/10/2007 | Health
Dentures can be costly in some areas of the country, however, there are a few things that can be done that may drastically reduce your cost. Here's an example...
Cosmetic Dentistry Information by Definition
By: Dave Stringham | 17/12/2007 | Dental Care
You communicate with the world through your smile. Smiles signify youth, strength, happiness and good health. If your smile is not what you wish it could be, cosmetic dentists can help you change your life by providing you with excellent, personal care. A more youthful, brighter-looking smile may be just a visit away with cosmetic dentistry.
How Does Cosmetic Dentistry Work?
By: Mary Logden | 14/12/2005 | Health
This article explains the many different types of cosmetic dentistry available today.
Dentists to Eliminate Needle, Anesthesia & Drilling - Painless Cavity Care
By: Tom Cruse | 24/01/2007 | Health
Imagine having a decayed tooth repaired, painlessly, without drilling or shots of anesthesia to numb the area.
Wishful thinking? Not if two studies being conducted at the University at Buffalo's School of Dental Medicine show positive results.
How to Find Out if you Have Gingivitis
By: Joe Stewart | 17/10/2007 | Health
Gingivitis is a condition that affects millions of people. The best way to tell if you have gingivitis is...
This is Why you Need a Discount Dental Plan
By: Joe Stewart | 26/10/2007 | Health
Are you even aware of the multiple benefits of joining a Discount Dental Plan? If not, you MUST look at this...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I need to make a dental appointment to get some ...
By: Silky B. | 22-07-2008
I need to make a dental appointment to get some teeth filled, the only niumber that I can find is for teeth extractions and I cannot speak to a live person, Please supply a phone number
Dentist
By: laurie | 21-07-2008
Hi looking for a dentist in south florida specializing in taking out mercury fillings. Better yet a biological dentist.
Root canal gone wrong
By: sonja | 18-07-2008
I had a root canal a week ago. dentist claimed I had an allergic reaction to bleach after she drilled whole through tooth. My jaw blew up and painful After several visit to dentist this week, antibiotics, draining infection(by dentist) and pain pills I'm still in pain and swelling (golf ball size in lower jaw).
What should I do?
Do I have to pay charges above the insurance company payment Toronto
By: larry stanley | 18-07-2008
does anyone know a dentist who wll work with the fees that my insurance company pays?
Dental implant maintenance
By: mrun92229 | 16-07-2008
I have recenty had tree implants placed. I asked the surgeon aobut the implant maintenance program. He told the mthat the hygieinist does most of it. She cleans your teeth and implants every three months. I asked aobut Xrays and was told that I would have one more full set and after that my general dentist could take them. I am wondering if this is adequate for implant maintenance. If so what should I ask aobut the plan.
Faculty Dental
By: libbyconant | 14-07-2008
What is the Faculty Dental office phone number?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Health Articles
The Dreaded Back Pain
By: Mandy Chagger | 06/09/2008
The most dreaded back pain is lower back pain, which could be a symptom of various complications in the abdomen area.
Stress - Types, Causes and Cures (part Three)
By: Andrew Tomkinson | 06/09/2008
This article is part one of my article series 'Stress - types, causes and cures'. It is written in order to introduce you to the types and causes of stress and suggest possible cures.
What are Toxins and How Do I Get Rid of Them?
By: James Carden | 06/09/2008
Toxins are an integral part of our everyday lives. Pollution, pesticides, cigarettes, bad water and harmful cleaning products are only a few of the different sources of toxins that can cause our bodies to malfunction and that we come in contact with on a daily basis.
Sun Damage Prevention
By: John Russell | 06/09/2008
In our continuing efforts to maintain youthful skin, we cannot neglect what may be the one true beauty secret. Effective protection from the sun can prevent damage to the skin. Even without actual sunburn, exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer, and other generally weathering effects.
What Makes Smoke Inhalation Dangerous
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
Most would agree that it is not natural, but what really happens when smoke is inhaled?
Dealing With Menstrual Flooding
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
It is not a popular subject,but there are many that needs this information if you are having trouble in this area.
Treatments And Medications for ADHD
By: Paul Hata | 06/09/2008
There are mainly two types of treatment which is generally used to cure the ADHD types of treatment for ADHD; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. It is been found out in various studies that 70% to 80% children are benefited by the stimulant drugs.
How to Prevent Stomach Ache and Abdominal Pain
By: Robert Sifer | 05/09/2008
For stomachache in children, parents should notice habits and symptoms of their children. For adults, they also should notice themselves which food that they consume always cause stomach pain to them and try not to eat those food.
More from Mary Williams
Choose Your Own Jewelry Styles
By: Mary Williams | 17/02/2006 | Women's Issues
When you want to buy jewelry, you have to choose the one that can compliment a formal outfit or for daily wear. It is not cheap to buy one, so think carefully before you decide.
Taking Care Your House Plants During Winter
By: Mary Williams | 17/02/2006 | Gardening
Many people do not know that plants need a special care during the winter. How cal you tell that it is time? One touch of your fingers to that window glass will tell you just how cold it is outside.
Choosing A Diamond With 4 Cs
By: Mary Williams | 17/02/2006 | Women's Issues
Diamonds - girls' best friend! Why do girls love diamonds? Why are they so precious? Is it because of their beauty and exquisiteness? Talk about buying.
Meet Your Back To School Budget
By: Mary Williams | 14/02/2006 | Finance
Every child is fear when they hear these words, "Back to school." While their parents are very happy when this time comes.
Mystery Shopping
By: Mary Williams | 13/02/2006 | Women's Issues
There is nothing for free. But how about almost free, or free with little effort? Ah ha! Now that you're paying attention, let's talk about the world of Mystery Shopping.
Changing You Spending Habits
By: Mary Williams | 12/02/2006 | Finance
It is every one dream being a millionaire and retiring with a healthy bank account, but how many people can actually achieve it? So few. This is largely due to lack of discipline in building up their retirement fund and poor spending habits.
Air Purification
By: Mary Williams | 11/02/2006 | Home and Family
Wherever you go today, you will face a constant attack of pollution; not only from air, but also from water and noise. There are almost as many types of air pollution as there are potential solutions.
Communication Between God And Us
By: Mary Williams | 10/02/2006 | Religion
We all need a proper and clear line of communication. If there is any misunderstanding due to lack of effective communication, it can easily lead to chaos. Our mighty industrial world would grind to a halt. Every military campaign would flounder.