| I was recently flicking through a newspaper and I | | | | you say you haven't got time for that then you're a |
| came across a piece that was spot on regarding | | | | liar! Then are many painless ways to fit in exercise |
| people's attitudes to health and life in general. The | | | | around your life. You could get off the bus a couple |
| piece in questions was in fact a Garfield comic. In | | | | of stops early, join a local sports team or you could |
| Garfield's short monologue he proclaimed that he | | | | do what I do - I have an exercise bike in my room |
| loved to spend his time planning, because it meant | | | | and I hop on it whenever I'm watching TV. It's |
| that he then didn't have to actually do anything. | | | | amazing how quickly 30 minutes of cycling flies by |
| We are bombarded by information about health | | | | when you're engrossed in your favourite show. |
| every single day. I regularly read the newspaper, not | | | | 3. Relax. |
| just for the Garfield comic, and I've seen some | | | | High levels of stress weaken the immune system and |
| startling misinformation and contradictory articles | | | | open you up to an array of health issues, both |
| printed within the space of a few days. This is all | | | | physical and mental. You can protect yourself though |
| from a very reputable UK broadsheet. For example I | | | | by allotting yourself a little "me time" a couple of |
| once read a study proclaiming that drinking two cups | | | | times a week. Both meditation and hypnosis are |
| of coffee a day was good for your health. Then a | | | | excellent ways to relax, and with hypnosis you can |
| week later, in the same paper, there was another | | | | even improve another aspect of your being while |
| study saying that coffee should be avoided at all | | | | ridding yourself of stress. Try purchasing a hypnosis |
| costs. So which are we supposed to believe? | | | | mp3 from a reputable store and listening to it a few |
| My answer is to ignore both. I'd recommend ignoring | | | | days a week. Alternatively you may just want to curl |
| most health information altogether. This may sound | | | | up with a good book or partake in your favourite |
| drastic but it's intended to be. Keeping healthy isn't a | | | | hobby. |
| matter of reading all the articles you can get your | | | | 4. Keep good hygiene. |
| hands on and then cramming the information into a | | | | You can stave off many illnesses just by washing |
| strict routine. It's too hard to do and virtually | | | | your hands thoroughly with soap and then drying |
| impossible to keep to. The key to good health, like | | | | them off completely several times a day. You don't |
| most things in life, is to keep it basic. If you wish to | | | | have to be obsessive about it, just every time you |
| get healthy then all you need to do is follow my | | | | go to the toilet, handle food or play with your pet will |
| basic advice. There's only five points to remember | | | | do. |
| and they're not at all complicated so anyone can stick | | | | 5. Socialize. |
| to them. | | | | We humans are social creatures (well most of us!), |
| 1. Eat a balanced diet. | | | | and socializing plays an important role in maintaining |
| You should never starve yourself and similarly you | | | | good health. When we interact in a fun environment |
| shouldn't overeat. Cut down on fatty foods as well | | | | it reduces stress levels, strengthens and immune |
| as sugary/salty treats and replace them with fruit | | | | system and improves mental faculties. You can |
| and vegetables. It's okay to have a little treat once in | | | | combine socializing with some of the tips above to |
| awhile but it should be exactly that, a treat...not the | | | | make the most of your time. For example you could |
| norm. Remember "you are what you eat". Do you | | | | go and play a round of golf with a few friends, you'll |
| want to be a sluggish sausage or an sprightly | | | | get in plenty of exercise walking around while |
| strawberry? | | | | socializing and depending on how well you play it may |
| P.S. Go easy on the sodas and alcohol too, these are | | | | even be relaxing! |
| merely empty calories that will cause excess weight | | | | There you have it, the basics of good health. That's |
| gain. | | | | really all there is to it. The time for talking is now |
| 2. Take regular exercise. | | | | over, it's time for you to get out there and get |
| It may sound like a pain but regular exercise only has | | | | active. Your health depends on it. |
| to be 30 minutes of activity three times a week. If | | | | |