Health 101
March 8, 2004

Do you need to lower your cholesterol or blood pressure? Would you like to lose a few pounds and reach a healthy weight? Want to keep your stress level down? Would you like to have less aches and pains? Would you like to lower your risk for cancer or heart disease?

Are you thinking...WOW...how can one e-Well Tip accomplish all this? Well...one e-Well Tip can't accomplish all his, but two can! Here are 5 quick and easy tips to help you improve your health. Stay tuned for tips 6 through 10 coming your way next week!

1 - GO FOR A WALK. It doesn't have to be a long walk - even a 10 or 15 minute walk at a moderate pace has health benefits and helps to relieve the stress of the day. Find time during lunch, during a break, or after work. Ask a friend or family member to come along.

2 - TAKE IT TO-GO. Toss a piece of fruit into your backpack, briefcase or purse. Buy a new type of fruit each time you see something new at the grocery store (buying fruit in season will also save you money). Fruits contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber - all of which can reduce your risk for heart disease and different types of cancer.

3 - LESS IS MORE. Try to cut back on sugar. If you're enjoying a candy bar every afternoon, cut back to 2 or 3 a week. If you spoon 4 teaspoons of sugar in each cup of coffee, cut it down to 3. Your taste buds will slowly adjust! Reducing your calories bit by bit will lead to slow and healthy weight loss.

4 - TAKE THE STAIRS. Walk right on by the elevator...put one foot in front of the other...and head on up! Take them on the way down, too. You work different muscles on the way up than you do on the way down. It's good for your muscles, your heart, and you may even find that you have MORE energy at the end of the day because you gave your metabolism little boosts throughout the day.

5 - BREATHE! Deep breathing is an excellent technique for relieving stress. When was the last time you took a nice deep breath in and let a slow and relaxing breath out? Try this 3 times in a row and you may find that you've just discovered the magic bullet for great relaxation.

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