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Spring
FWD
A GREAT T IME TO MAKE
HEALTHY CHOICES
MANY OF US
launch the new year with resolutions to improve ourselves. Those resolutions often fizzle in a few weeks
or months. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next January to get a fresh start.
The beginning of daylight saving time, with brighter, warmer days, is a great time to make a fresh start. Spring into better
health with one of these bright ideas.
Optimize
those ZZZs.
When it comes to sleep, both
quality and quantity count. If you’re
dragging through your days, take a look
at your sleep habits. It might help to:
•
Create a cozy, relaxing sleep en-
vironment. Think quiet, dark and
cool.
•
Put electronics to sleep early. The
type of light emitted from laptops
and other screens can stimulate
the brain, making it difficult to fall
asleep.
•
Find a soothing bedtime ritual, like
reading a book, taking a bath or
listening to quiet music.
If you have ongoing sleep problems,
talk to your doctor.
Give your
kitchen
a makeover.
Take time to say out with the old and
unhealthy and in with fresh, new
food options. You can get some spring
cleaning in at the same time.
First, go through the fridge and
pantry. Start by discarding anything
that’s spoiled or expired. Next, take
stock of sugary or salty foods, and toss
most of them. You might keep one or
two of your favorite snacks, though,
for an occasional indulgence.
Finally, do a little menu planning.
What types of colorful produce are in
season? Plan simple, nutritious meals,
and then go shopping to stock your
newly cleared kitchen.
Commit
to fit.
Let longer days
and the improving
weather beckon you to
get out and moving.
It’s time to enjoy long
walks on balmy spring days,
for example, or dig into yardwork and
gardening.
Being active can boost mood and
ease anxiety. It can also lower blood
pressure, improve cholesterol levels
and help you sleep better. The list
goes on and on.
Sources: American College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology; American Heart Association; American Institute
for Cancer Research; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; National
Sleep Foundation
Start your kids on a heart-healthy path
You may think that only grown-ups need
to be concerned about having a healthy
heart. But it’s never too early to start
establishing a heart-healthy lifestyle for
your children too.
Here’s why: Even though kids rarely
get heart disease, the process leading to
adult heart disease—the gradual buildup
of fat, cholesterol and other substances
in arteries—can actually begin in child-
hood. This can put kids at future risk for
a heart attack, or even a stroke, when
they grow up.
And the chances of that happening
increase when kids develop heart dis-
ease risk factors such as obesity, type 2
diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood
pressure.
Make changes that can help your
kids—and the whole family—beat back
heart disease.
Serve up good eats.
Saturated
fats and trans fats can raise the risk of
heart disease. When shopping for your
family, choose foods that are lower in
saturated fat—such as lean meat and
6 FAITH REGIONAL
HEALTH SERVICES