The process of making choices to create a flexible, cardiovascularly fit, energetic, strong body, able to perform daily tasks without fatigue.
This includes choices we make about:
- Exercise: Are you a couch potato? Do you over-exercise? Do you get 30 minutes of activity a day?
- Sleep: 8 out of 10 Americans admits he/she is sleep deprived! Getting your zzz’s?
- Nutrition: Are you eating enough of the good stuff? Five a day (fruits & veggies) keeps the doctor away!
- Stress management: How do you handle that last-minute rush to finish a project? How do you manage your temper when things pile up at home or work?
- Drug & alcohol use: Legal issues, social pressure, and health risk factors… do you know the facts to make good decisions?
- Smoking: Quit smoking today to decrease your risk of heart disease immediately!
- Safer sex strategies: The right person, the right time, for the right reasons? Remember, you are a gift… choose wisely with whom you share this gift.
- Injury prevention: Do you stretch frequently when you sit for hours in front of your computer?
- Personal safety: Do you use your seat belt EVERY time? Do you have an emergency plan in your home in case of fire, tornado, flood, hurricane?
- Treatment for illness: Do you get help when you need it? Do you follow doctors’ orders?
Here are a few more ideas to promote physical well-being:
- Avoid using a radio or headphones when walking or jogging alone.
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier so that you have enough time to eat breakfast.
- Take your dog for a walk everyday… you will both benefit from the physical activity and you will really make his/her day!
- Find a workout partner to help you stay accountable. (Besides, exercise is more fun when you have a friend to talk to.)
- Wash and cut your vegetables as soon as you get home from the grocery store. Put them in little snack-sized baggies so that you can grab a bag on your way out the door in the morning.
- Cook a large meal on the weekend and then freeze/refrigerate the leftovers in lunch-sized containers so you can grab-and-go in the morning.
- Don’t punish yourself by avoiding all of the foods you enjoy. Remember no food is truly “evil” and that moderation is the key.
- Wear shoes that are good for your feet! Those sexy, strappy sandals might look good put they provide little or no support. And don’t get me started on those pointy-toed pumps! Remember you are going to need those feet for a long time.
- Take a bubble bath every once in a while.
- It might seem like an indulgence, but get a professional massage. It is amazing how a licensed massage therapist knows exactly where we store our tension and how to release it. You might consider massage to be preventive medicine.
- Consider aromatherapy at home or work. There are scents that can truly affect our moods, attitudes and energy levels.
- Be sure you and your partner have been tested for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) BEFORE you have sex.
- Place a fire extinguisher someplace handy in the kitchen. Be sure everyone in your home knows how to operate it.
- Enroll your family in a CPR class. Many communities provide free or inexpensive training. It could save a life! (Check out the local hospital, YMCA, public health office, community college, or ambulance service to get more information.)
- Use child safety cabinet locks to prevent children and pets from getting to poisonous chemicals including ordinary household bleach, cleaners, disinfectants and pre-moistened cleaning wipes. Don’t forget the bathroom chemicals many of us store behind the toilet or under the sink.
- Get your vision checked regularly. This is not just a safety issue for you, but also for anyone who might be in your path.
- Don’t forget your pet’s wellness! A healthy pet is a happy pet, and one that will bring you years of joy. Be sure all vaccinations are up to date and use heartworm and flea/tick prevention if these bugs are prevalent in your area of the world.
- At the first sign of a cold, consider one of those vitamin-based remedies that boosts you with B-vitamins and may help you to avoid the illness or at least lessen the blow. Airborne was the orignal but just about every pharmacy chain offers their own version as well.