Improve your health with steps so simple you'll barely notice the effort.
Give
Your Diet a Berry Boost
If you do one thing this summer to improve your diet, have a
cup of mixed fresh berries -- blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries --
every day. They'll help you load up on antioxidants, which may help prevent
damage to tissues and reduce the risks of age-related illnesses. Blueberries
and blackberries are especially antioxidant-rich.
A big bonus: Berries are also tops in fiber, which helps
keep cholesterol low and may even help prevent some cancers.
Get
Dirty -- and Stress Less
To improve your stress level, plant a small garden,
cultivate a flower box, or if space is really limited, plant a few flower pots
-- indoors or out.
Just putting your hands in soil is "grounding."
And when life feels like you're moving so fast your feet are barely touching
the stuff, being mentally grounded can help relieve physical and mental stress.
Floss
Daily
You know you need to, now it's time to start: floss every
single day. Do it at the beach (in a secluded spot), while reading on your
patio, or when watching TV -- and the task will breeze by.
Flossing reduces oral bacteria, which improves overall body
health, and if oral bacteria is low, your body has more resources to fight
bacteria elsewhere. Floss daily and you're doing better than at least 85% of
people.
Get
Outside to Exercise
Pick one outdoor activity -- going on a hike, taking a
nature walk, playing games such as tag with your kids, cycling, roller blading,
or swimming -- to shed that cooped-up feeling of gym workouts.
And remember, the family that plays together not only gets
fit together -- it's also a great way to create bonding time.
Be
Good to Your Eyes
To protect your vision at work and at play, wear protective
eyewear. When outdoors, wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet
A and B rays. Sunglasses can help prevent cataracts, as well as wrinkles around
the eyes.
And when playing sports or doing tasks such as mowing the
lawn, wear protective eyewear. Ask your eye doctor about the best type; some
are sport-specific.
Sleep
Well
Resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days.
Instead pay attention to good sleep hygiene by keeping the same bedtime and
wake-up schedule and not drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime.
It's also a good idea to avoid naps during the day unless
you take them every day at the same time, for the same amount of time.
There they are: Eight super simple ways to boost your health
this summer. Try one or try them all. They're so easy you won't even know
they're -- shhhh -- good for you.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Feature
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