12
August/September
It’s Your Life Magazine
1
Drink a tall one, an 8
oz. glass of water several times
during the day. This will keep you
hydrated, helps digestion, and
makes skin feel dewy fresh.
2
Eat a half cup of beans
several times during the week.
Beans are an excellent fat free
source of protein and fiber.
Beans like pintos, black beans,
kidney beans, and navy beans
rev up energy and help you
maintain regularity.
3
Splash your face with
cool water to revive yourself, instead of drinking a cup of coffee
and jarring your nerves.
4
Plan daily goals for
exercise. It takes less than a
minute to reserve time for this
self-care practice on your calendar. Exercise pays off by reducing stress, helps keep you fit,
and elevates mood.
5
Take a deep breath.
Deep breathing eliminates anxiety and sends nourishing oxygen
to all parts of your body.
6
Snack on a serving of
fresh sweet peas for a change of
pace treat. This healthy veggie
has more vitamin C than 2 large
apples and more protein than
a whole egg or a tablespoon of
peanut butter.
7
Take a 20-20-20 break.
Every 20 minutes disengage
from your computer screen
by standing up and looking at
what’s going on 20 feet away
Isssue 3
from you. Do this for at least 20
seconds. This saves eyesight
and prevents eye and body
strain.
8
Use eye drops to refresh your eyes at least two or
three times a day.
9
Say “no” when you need
to. Bowing out of tasks you really
don’t want or need to do will help
you keep check on your time,
energy, and resources. This selfcare practice allows you to focus
on meeting your own needs,
and avoids creating stress and
resentments.
10
Set water to hot (above
140 degrees F) when washing
sheets, pillow cases, and towels to kill dust mites. Hot water
washes can remove pet dander
and pollen residue and makes
laundry fresh and clean.
11
Apply a broad-spectrum
sunscreen daily, one that contains non-nano zinc-oxide (SPF
30 or above) to prevent sun
damage and reduce chances
of getting skin cancer. Wear
UV protected sunglasses to cut
down on exposure to radiation
and protect sensitive skin around
your eyes.
12
Shed shoes at your
front door. Then, notice how
much easier it is to keep carpets
clean and reduce the amount
of environmental pollutants you
track into your home.
13
13
Hug a bud to get those
good feelings flowing. Kiss your
significant other, and compliment
your kids to spread the love and
encourage each other. Laugh
often. It reduces stress and prevents “dis-ease.”
14
Take a stretch by reaching up to the sky, bending over to
reach for your toes. Next, stand
tall and roll your shoulders back
and forth. Stretching relieves
sore muscles, reduces tension,
and relaxes shoulders, neck, and
body.
15
Create a mental or written gratitude list. Give thanks for
your blessings and observe how
fast it improves your mood and
sense of well-being.
These one minute health boosters have worked really well
for me, and each can work for
you too. I hope I have heightened your interest in improved
self-care. There’s nothing like
the present to start. Add a few
of these health boosters at a
time into your wellness routine.
Before you know it, you’ll feel
better, look better, and smile a
lot more. Please let me know
which ones you already do. Are
there any you’re reluctant to try?
Let me know about those too @
nancyandreswriter@