Health
Tips
#1
BREATHE
THROUGH YOUR NOSE
We
were
designed to breathe through the nose, which warms, moistens and filters
air before it reaches the delicate tissue in the lungs. Breathing
through the nose also induces special cells that line the nasal cavity
to release nitric oxide. The gas, not to be confused with nitrous
oxide (laughing gas), dilates blood vessels to improve
circulation and lower blood pressure.You can read more about breathing
in journalist James Nestor's fascinating book, Breath:
The New Science of a Lost Art
#2 ADJUST
YOUR
ATTITUDE
To be
healthy, you
have to think healthily. Numerous studies show that people who tend to
think positively live longer and healthier lives
than those who tend to think negatively. So lighten up.
Try to adopt the attitude that this is my
only body, and I’m going to treat it with love and take good
care
of it to the
best of my ability. When stressed out, take a deep breath and consider
that 90 percent of the
things we worry about
don’t come to pass. Of the remainder, 9 percent
won’t be
as bad as anticipated, and the 1 percent that are may make you stronger
in the long run. In other words: Don’t
worry, be
happy!
#3 HAVE MORE SEX
No
kidding. Regular romps burn calories, lower blood pressure, strengthen
muscles,
boost immunity, aid digestion, help sleep and improve mood, among other
benefits. When you make hay, you're also making new brain cells, a
process called neurogenesis.
Sexual arousal activates both the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous
systems, meaning it is highly stimulating and deeply relaxing at the
same time,
a great combination for the body. A survey of 16,000 American adults
found that
increasing frequency of sex from once a month to once a week boosted
happiness
by the same amount as having an extra $50,000 in the bank. And
it’s fun!
#4 CHILL OUT
Go ahead and enjoy the bliss of a hot shower, but turn it cold for the
last minute or so. The sudden chill triggers the release of “cold
shock” protein RBM3, which strengthens nerve connections in the
brain. The cold water also constricts blood vessels in the skin and
extremities, flooding the brain and other vital organs with oxygen-rich
blood. It also supports mitochondria and boosts the immune system.
Chilling out like this is good for everyone, except maybe heart
patients and others with cardiovascular issues.
#5 READ NUTRITION LABELS
To eat right, you have to
know what’s
in your food. While shopping, take a few moments to read the ingredient
label, and compare nutrition just like you compare prices. As
a rule of thumb, food is low in a particular nutrient if it contains less than
5 percent of the daily value per serving. Anything over 20 percent means the
food is high in the nutrient.
That can work both ways depending on whether the nutrient is healthy
(such as vitamins, minerals and fiber) or unhealthy (such as sodium,
added sugars and saturated fat). And be sure to
note the serving size, which is often just a fraction of the package
contents.
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