Dear Red Hot Mamas- January 2018

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

As we begin the New Year many of us have to pay of consequences of our being overindulgent. We’ve consumed excessive amounts of food, drinks and have not provided enough time for ourselves to take care of our health.

Some of us even have let our annual memberships to the gym renew themselves automatically on our credit cards even though we haven’t been there since we first joined.  I hear this quite often!

So, what can we do as we roll into 2018 to improve our overall well-being and prevent poor health?  First, it takes a commitment on your part by changing your lifestyle and health choices.

Consider these helpful ideas:

Move more – be vigorously active 20 minutes a day, three days a week.  And, don’t have excuses because it’s cold out outside. If you want to exercise outside, layer your clothes. Or, if you prefer exercising indoors, go to your gym; walk in your local mall; stand instead of sitting; try a dance class, just make exercise a regular part of your activities.  The rewards to exercise will be you will feel better, have more energy and look great when warmer weather returns.

Be social – Loneliness has been linked to depression and even linked to elevated systolic blood pressure (1).  So, why not incorporate socialization into your exercise regimen?  Recruiting your friends to join you may help you to adhere to your exercise schedule.  You can also maintain social contacts on Red Hot Mamas community forum on www.inspire.com.  Just connect with others for better health, happiness and longevity.

Eat healthier – Never skip meals.  Eat a variety of foods daily.  To prevent chronic diseases and illness eat a diet which is rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and which include adequate amounts of calcium.

Ask lots of questions – If you do not understand the changes that are occurring in your body or mind; or you don’t understand how to take your medication or the rationale why your clinician has prescribed it, let your clinician know.  Your health depends on having an understanding of what to expect and or what may cause problems to your health later on.

In closing, arm yourself with knowledge and make changes to your lifestyle.  The reward in doing this will be a healthier, longer and happier life.

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin

Reference:

(1)    National Institute on Aging. (2015). Research suggests a positive correlation between social interaction and health. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive.