October 21, 2008

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Best Health Advice You've Never Received

Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Hospital

You can safeguard your health without stepping foot into an exam room.

Frank Byrne, M.D.
President, St. Mary's Hospital

1. Take advantage of the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine.
   Yoga. Meditation. Many people in the health establishment don't talk about these types of medicine, but they are things that can benefit everybody.
2. You don't have to be world class triathlete to benefit from exercise.
   Some people think they can't exercise because they don't have a gym membership, but something as simple as walking 30 to 45 minutes a week can result in stress reduction, blood pressure control and weight management. It's also a great time to get out and enjoy the fall colors.
3. Volunteer in your community.
   There are studies that show people who do volunteer work do have better health. The peace of mind you get from volunteering and helping others goes a long way toward reliving your own stress and releases positive endorphins, lowers blood pressure and negates the effects of stress hormones.
   

Cheryl DeMars
CEO, The Alliance

1. Make it hard to skip your morning workout at the gym.
   Put your gym clothes next to your bed and pack your work attire in your car. It makes going to the gym less optional.
2. Try body rolling.
   Body rolling has incredible tools and methods to relieve muscle tension and joint pain while giving you a relaxing stretch. You can purchase the equipment — a red body ball and purple foot wakers — online for around $100. Classes to help you use the equipment more effectively are available locally. (Learn more about body rolling here: www.yamunabodyrolling.com)
3. There isn't really much that you can't recover from — or at least make better.
   Unless somebody passes away, there aren't many mistakes or wrong turns that can't be undone. It's a liberating realization.
   

Christine Pagel, M.D.
Pediatrician, Dean Health System

1. Go outside.
   Revel in the crisp fall weather by going for a walk, jog or bike ride. Play in the leaves or work in the yard. Do something active while enjoying the great outdoors.
2. Eat colorfully.
   Serve foods with a mixture of different colors and textures. Not only will you feel full sooner, but you'll take in a wide variety of healthy nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. If you don't love vegetables, try mixing them into casseroles or sauces. There's plenty of fall produce to enjoy right now, including apples, cranberries and squash.
3. Prevent illness, instead of just treating illness.
   Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water or waterless hand sanitizer. And get your flu shot. The latest recommendation indicates that all children under 18 years old and adults over the age of 50 should get the shot to prevent influenza and its potential complications. The flu shot is encouraged for all adults, especially for those who are pregnant, work in health care, have chronic medical problems or are in close contact with the very old or very young.
   

Richard Parfitt, M.D.
Parfitt Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center

1. Use moisturizers less.
   Overusing moisturizers will make your skin increasingly weak, sensitive and unhealthy. Your skin is like any other organ in your body and needs to be exercised to maintain its health. Stop using moisturizers and allow your skin to dry out and flake for at least 30 days every year is good "exercise" for your skin, helping it become more resilient and healthy. Exposing your skin to extremes of heat and humidity (like a sauna) or cold and dry (like a walk on a cold, crisp Wisconsin winter day) are also great ways to "exercise" your skin.
2. Use it or Lose it.
   Frequent exercise is the only common denominator in any set of recommendations aimed at improving the health of any organ system. The basic message is "use it or lose it," or in this instance, "exercise it or watch its health decline."
3. Use the power of your mind.
   The chemicals your mind produces simply as a result of how you think, are naturally more powerful and more specified than any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety pill. And you can always learn to control your thoughts.

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