Springtime tips for good health

The media are awash with pointers about how to live a healthy life: eat well, exercise, don’t smoke, watch how much alcohol you drink. A recitation of heath tips becomes a mantra that we know so well . . . and tend to ignore. But if these pointers help you feel better, look better and avoid some diseases, maybe it’s worth giving a few of them a try.

WiRED has more than 400 modules that discuss disease prevention. The prevention of many chronic illnesses can be found among items in the list below. The message in this Webstory is simple: take a look at the list provided by the National Institutes of Health. NIH is pretty smart about these things. Maybe adopt one item now, then another next week, a third one after that and see if it improves your health. We just passed the first day of spring; that’s a pretty good time to launch a new, healthy routine.

Health Tips from the National Institutes of Health

Being Good to Yourself

Many people feel stress in their daily lives. Stress can cause you to overeat, feel tired, and not want to do anything. Healthy eating and regular physical activity may help offset the effects of stress.

Try some of these other ideas to help relieve stress and stay on track with improving your health:

• Get plenty of sleep.
• Practice deep breathing while relaxing your muscles one at a time.
• Take a break and go for a walk.
• Add short stretch breaks to your day.
• Try a new hobby or any activity that sparks your interest.
• Surround yourself with people whose company you enjoy.

A balanced eating plan, regular physical activity, and stress relief may help you stay healthy for life.

Lifespan Tip Sheet for Adults

• Eat breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day.
• Choose whole grains more often. Try whole-wheat breads and pastas, oatmeal, or brown rice.
• Select a mix of colorful vegetables each day. Vegetables of different colors provide different nutrients. Try collards, kale, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
• Have low-fat, low-sugar snacks on hand at home, at work, or on the go to combat hunger and prevent overeating.
• At restaurants, eat only half your meal and take the rest home.
• Visit museums, the zoo, or an aquarium. You and your family can walk for hours and not realize it.
• Take a walk after dinner instead of watching TV.
• Get plenty of sleep.

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-tips-adults