It’s that time of year when many of us are making New Years resolutions. This year, think about picking up your toothbrush and taking a day off before you once again resolve to lose 5 pounds, or exercise more frequently – all in the name of good health. Instead, as we discussed this morning on The Denver Channel 7 , try these new resolutions that are less well known to improve your health.
1) Brush your teeth, floss and use antiseptic mouthwash
2) Take a day each week for recreation, family time and spiritual pursuits
3) Drink more water
4) Sleep at least 7-8 hours per night
Every year at this time, many of us want to start the new year by becoming more healthy, and start strenuous programs that we soon give up. These resolutions seem too simple – can they really affect our longterm health?
Actually, these small changes are associated with big health gains.
Let’s start with the resolution to brush our teeth and floss twice daily– how does that change more than our dental health?
There have been articles linking mild to moderate periodontal – or gum – disease with increased risks of both heart attack and stroke. While the reasons for the association have not been clearly spelled out, the association is clear. For that reason, picking up your toothbrush, dental floss and using them everyday is a resolution that could prevent heart attack or stroke in the future
Two of your resolutions – sleeping more every night and taking a day for time with family or friends/or spiritual activities don’t feel like resolutions – since when are fun things good for us?
Both getting enough sleep and spending time with loved ones, or in spiritual pursuits, are known to improve our health by lowering blood pressure, decreasing chances of diabetes, and lowering risk for heart attacks and strokes. All the mechanisms have not been studied, but it is felt that by following these good health habits, we lower stress. Stress is known to release chemicals that make our bodies hold onto weight, increase blood pressure – and over time increase our chances for heart attacks and stroke. We also know that pleasurable activities and time spent with people important to us help us release chemicals that calm us – lowering blood pressure.
Our bodies are designed to work best with rest
Finally, drinking water – is that really important?
Our bodies are 70% water, and the chemical reactions that make our body function are designed to happen in this watery environment. In addition, water helps us flush the waste products of living out of our bodies, helps keep our blood pressure where it should be, and is vital to living. If you are not drinking eight 8 oz glasses of water a day – start slowly building up your water intake until you are – that way you won’t be spending too much time in the restroom.
Good Health! Dr. Dianne
If you would like more information, check out these websites:
Tue, Dec 29, 2009
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