Eleven Steps: HOW TO FEEL BETTER MORE OF THE TIME AND REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF A MAJOR ILLNESS

The Daily Apple™© Volume 2, Number 7

Friday, June 28, 2013

PGY #40  Day #363

Take The Best Care™© of Yourself

From Dr. Mike and Infinity Health Solutions

HOW TO FEEL BETTER MORE OF THE TIME AND REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF A MAJOR ILLNESS 

From The Stress Management Workbook: An action plan for taking control of your life and health

Pages 156 and 157

The last blog post made reference to these pages, so here they are.  These 11 rules will help you get healthy and stay healthy.

Dr. Mike

HOW TO FEEL BETTER MORE OF THE

TIME AND REDUCE YOUR CHANCES

OF A MAJOR ILLNESS

The following list of rules gives you a general summary of what we

think is reasonable health behavior. Review them and keep the list

for future reference.

1.  Awareness of Behaviors You Can Change:

You have control over many factors that may significantly affect your health. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn how your own behavior

affects your health. Strive to change your behavior in such a way

as to promote your health. Learn to differentiate between those

things you can change and those you must accept.

2.  Preparation for Conditioning:

Establish a relationship with a physician whom you can trust. Make sure .you are able to communicatewith your personal physician. Visit your physician annually in order to continually assess your health status. Do not

start an exercise program without a health evaluation and advice

from your physician.

3.  Immunizations:

Be sure you are fully immunized. Diphtheria/tetanus

should be received at least every 10 years. Other immunizations

may be necessary under certain circumstances.

4.  Exposure:

Avoid physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the

environment. This is the essence of risk reduction. Some things

are obviously more hazardous than others depending on your age.

The major health hazards for the 30- to 40-year-old individual

are the automobile, alcohol, smoking, and weapons. There are

other significant factors such as drugs, air and water pollution,

and food additives that have adverse health effects, although they

may be difficult to quantify.

5. Diet:

Learn what you are eating and what you should not be

eating. Food additives, such as flavor enhancers, artificial flavors,

artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives, as well

as hormones and antibiotics, are chemicals. Some are known to

be hazardous and others are suspect. These should be avoided. In

addition, excess sweets, starches, and fats should be avoided.

Your diet should contain fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats,

fish, and low-fat dairy products. Excess salt can be a problem.

Obesity or overweight is a major health hazard.

6. Drugs:

Avoid the use of drugs unless absolutely necessary. All

drugs are potentially hazardous. Their benefit must be carefully

weighed against their danger. Discuss this with your physician.

7.  Exercise:

Develop a regular exercise program and go through

your daily activities in a way that promotes fitness. Exercise, if

done regularly and under supervision, reduces the risk of hypertension

and heart disease.

8.  Recreation and Relaxation:

These two are critical to your sense of well-being. They probably also prolong your life.

9.  Sleep:

When you are tired, go to sleep. Distractions such as television

that keep you awake during your period of greatest evening

fatigue are the single greatest cause of insomnia.

10. Goals and Expectations:

Examine your personal expectations and

the expectations which you have of others very carefully. Make

sure that they are reasonable. If unreasonable, they should be

changed. If you are unable to examine or change them on your

own, seek help.

11.  When and How To Seek Aid:

A serious, or persistent problem deserves prompt evaluation by your personal physician, or, if necessary, the physician who is on call.