It’s easy to pick up bad habits that can lead to serious health problems in later life. Follow these tips to keep yourself in top condition:
A smile that gleams: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, every day. Flossing and using mouthwash is also extremely beneficial. Poor dental hygiene not only causes unsightly plaque buildup and bad breath, but can also lead to decay, loss of teeth and a lot of pain. Visit your dentist for a checkup every six months.
Quit smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung and mouth cancer as well as causing hardening of the arteries, poor circulation, loss of fertility and heart disease. Smoking also diminishes quality of life, leaving you breathless, unable to tolerate prolonged exercise and reducing your sense of smell and taste. Visit your family physician to get help with quitting.
Hit the hay: Make sure you get enough sleep to allow your body to recover from a hard day at work or with the family. Men need at least seven hours per night, while women are advised to snooze for at least eight hours.
Cut the caffeine: While coffee is fine as an occasional pick-me-up, drinking too much through the day can have serious side-affects including insomnia, headaches, irritability and mood swings, dehydration, heart problems, hypertension and bowel trouble. If you think you are drinking too much coffee, gradually reduce your intake to one or two cups per day and switch to green tea or water.
Chill out: Stress caused by work commitments, relationships and money worries can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), loss of sleep and encourage unhealthy habits such as smoking. If you have trouble relaxing, find time to take up a hobby to take your mind off things or visit your family physician to find out about relaxation techniques such as meditation.
Remember, it’s your life, your future, Your Health First.
