- Floss daily for more oral hygiene. According
to some research, individuals with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer
from heart disease and have three times the risk of stroke. Periodontal disease can also increase the
risk of certain respiratory infections, trigger premature delivery and
interfere in blood sugar control among diabetics. - Do volunteer work. A study at the
University of Michigan found that individuals who did volunteer work increased
their odds of living longer. - Socialise. Surround yourself with friends
and family. According to a study, healthy adults with six or more types of
social relationships, from family to neighbours to co-workers, are four times
less likely to become sick than those with three or fewer type of social ties. - Eat a banana before bed. Magnesium and
potassium-rich bananas can help you fall asleep faster. The carbohydrates stimulate production of
serotonin, which makes you drowsy. - Use your brain. Individuals who keep their
minds challenged are less likely to suffer from senility. - Avoid drinking too much decaffeinated
coffee. A study conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that
older women who drank four or more cups of decaf coffee a day were more than
twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. - Hug your pet – or someone else's. Animals
can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, and help you to relax and
release tension. Better yet, take a dog
for a walk and get some exercise too. - Get a massage. Human touch is
healing. Tension slips away and stress
hormones drop by 2 per cent, according to a study at the Touch Research
Institute at the University of Miami. - Say thank you. Being appreciative elevates
your mood and makes you less vulnerable to depression, according to research
from eastern Washington University in Cheney. - Protect your eyes. Eyestrain can cause
everything from headaches to fatigue.
Make sure work and reading areas are well lit and that you take regular
breaks if you spend a good deal of time in front of a computer.
Source : Sunday Star
