Staying Healthy
Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including what to eat and how best to exercise, can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. We think it’s helpful to focus on four simple wellness points:
Move Your Body
People who exercise regularly not only feel better, they also live longer. For healthy adults younger than age 65, the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking or swimming) five days a week or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous activity (such as running) three days a week, plus strength training exercises twice a week.
For adults over age 65 or those with chronic health conditions, balance exercises are recommended in addition to moderate or vigorous exercise like brisk walking, dancing, biking or swimming. A moderate level of activity is activity that noticeably increases your heart rate and breathing rate. You may sweat, but you are still able to carry on a conversation. At any age, gentle stretching is also important.
You can find out more MayoClinic.com Fitness
TopEat Simply
Fresh and simple is best when it comes to food. The fewer processed foods you eat, the better the nutrition. So try to prepare meals from scratch whenever you can. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is another sure way to eat well. Reducing the amount of red meat you eat is also a good idea. Eat fish, poultry, beans, nuts, or low-fat cheese instead. Whole grains, such as 100% whole wheat, are also better choices. Making good choices will help you feel good, stay well, and keep your weight down. Learn more by visiting MayoClinic.com Nutrition
Manage Stress
It’s not just major events, like divorce, that can cause our stress levels to rise; daily irritations can cause chronic stress to become a way of life. Managing stress is a key factor in maintaining your health and happiness. Taking care of your body by eating well and exercising will help you better deal with stress. Having a support network of people you can talk to and do things with is also critical. Hobbies and activities that bring you pleasure are important, as is time spent in quiet reflection. If you feel that you are unable to cope with the amount of stress in your life, you should see a professional therapist or your physician. For more information on how to cope with stress, visit MayoClinic.com Stress
Get Appropriate Screenings and Tests
Routine medical screenings are important, particularly as we age. Many, if not most, are easy and painless (like blood pressure screening) but can have a huge impact on your health, and perhaps even save your life. Knowing your family health history and what tests you should have at different stages in your life is a good way for you to stay in control of your health. The Mayo Clinic has an easy, online tool for quickly finding out what tests and screenings you need. Go to MayoClinic.com Health-Screening
