1-2-3 To a Healthier Me

By Robin Haggberg, RN, Reiki Master

The time has come for all of us to take responsibility for our healthcare. With the raging controversy about how to pay for healthcare, it may be time to evaluate your own approach to healthcare.

How many times do you avoid going to the doctor, when you know you should go? How many times do you know you're doing something bad for your health, but don't stop?

There are simple and important lifestyle changes we can implement to improve overall health and prevent diseases or illnesses from getting worse.

People often fail in their attempts to change an unhealthy habit or try to change everything at once. This is a common mistake that many people make. Below are a few small changes you can make to slow the aging process and ward off illness and disease.

1. Diet. Cut out one thing that you know is bad for you. Don't eat or snack late in the evening. Increase your water intake and decrease sugary drinks.

2. Exercise. Recognize a time in your daily routine when you could walk instead of using a form of transportation, even if it's just to the mailbox, or to walk the dog. Use the stairs for a floor or two instead of the elevator.

3. Recreation. Engage in a new activity for your brain. We all have ambitions of trying a new hobby, whether it is riding a motorcycle, learning to knit, or taking a dance class. It is now proven that learning something new keeps the brain stimulated.