Seven Simple Things You Can do to Improve Your Health Today

While the focus of health and fitness is often on exercise and nutrition, there are some relatively simple things we can ensure we're doing each day to improve upon our current state of well being. 

1. Floss:  It’s not just about keeping up that sharp smile, poor oral hygiene has been linked to heart disease.
   
   
2. Get More Sleep:  Seven to nine hours of sleep is generally recommended.  Not only will you be more refreshed and fun to be around but adequate sleep is responsible for releasing melatonin which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from dreaded cell-damaging free radicals.
   
   
3. Don't Text While Driving:  In fact, how about not using the phone at all when behind the wheel?  Not too long ago people had to stop at a 7-Eleven and use a filthy pay phone if they wanted to make a call right then.  Somehow things still got done back then.  Some studies have even shown that drivers distracted by cell phone conversations were just as impaired as a legally drunk driver.
   
   
4. Take a Multivitamin:  In his book Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical Guide to Healthy Eating, Dr. Walter Willet compares taking a multivitamin to having an insurance policy.  Most of us don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables and a vitamin just helps to fill in any nutritional gaps.  This is especially important for active people.
   
   
5. Take Time to De-stress Daily:  High levels of chronic stress result in elevated levels of Cortisol, which have been linked to increased belly fat.  Take 10 minutes each day to de-stress by doing whatever helps put you in a relaxed state and breaks the cycle of a hectic day.
   
   
6. Sit Less:  While some researchers are looking to classify sitting as a lethal activity one thing that we know is prolonged sitting often leads to poor posture, tight hips and a sore lower back.  While some sitting is likely unavoidable in the daily grind, there are plenty of ways to break it up and get the body moving again.  Instead of sending an email or calling someone who works in your office, get up and have a conversation.  Choose the break room farthest away from your desk.  Turn off the TV and take the family for a walk.  The options are limitless.
   
   
7. Drink More Water:  Your body cannot function optimally without being properly hydrated and most of us simply don’t drink enough.  Thirst is triggered when you’re already slightly dehydrated so if you wait to be thirsty you’re already behind.  Drinking plenty of water will boost your energy levels and allow your body to perform at its best.  Plus, the well known side effect of drinking lots of water will help out in your efforts to sit less as well.  :)

Allan Keller is a Westchase area fitness coach and owner of Direct Effect Fitness.  Allan can be reached at 813-333-9922 or allan@DirectEffectFitness.com. Have a question about fitness or nutrition?  Post a comment or send an email and you may see your topic featured in his next blog.