Healthier You!
This time of year is one for people to think about starting to get in to better shape. The weather is nice, the temperatures are warm and you start to pull your swim suits out of storage and get ready to head to the pool! The sun is a great source of Vitamin D (in limited amounts) but people want to feel good about themselves in shorts (and in swim suits) when they go to soak up the rays!
Where do you start to get in better shape and how do you take steps to become healthy and to feel good about yourself for the summer?
Let’s start by making sure you are getting enough sleep. Even though the summer days are longer, sleep is a vital part of our bodies. We need it in order to grow and to reenergize. Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night in order to feel refreshed. Are you getting enough sleep? Try to go to bed and wake up about the same time day. This will help program your body and will ultimately make it easier to fall asleep quickly and to wake up ready to take on the day.
Second check, how is your food intake? I would ask how your “diet” is but that makes some people feel very defensive or even that they have to limited foods. It’s not hard to eat healthy! Your food intake should be very colorful with fruits and vegetables being plentiful. Additionally, you always want to make sure you are getting enough protein, carbohydrates and finally some fats in your diet. Tread lightly when it comes to sweets, alcohol, processed foods, fried foods, etc. They are not only bad for your body, they can also make you feel sleepy and weak (the opposite of what we are trying to do here)!
Now let’s discuss exercise? How are you doing? Make it a goal to exercise at a moderate pace (meaning it would be hard to talk and do the exercise at the same time) for 20 minutes a day. This could be achieved in many ways including housework, walking around your office or simply walking to the park or to a friend’s house. Exercise can be very flexible and will meet you where you are at. Just start with one day, then the next and so on. Before you know it you will have logged hours over a week!
Lastly, make sure you check in with your doctor! We want to know what your goals are to becoming healthy and we are here to help. Call us today and let us know how we can help you be a healthier YOU!
At Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A. our professional and caring staff makes the difference with patient care. – See more at: http://www.dev.carlosparnellmd.com/thermometers-and-babies/#sthash.MFvVROkI.dpuf
