1. Walk 30 minutes a day. Walking makes your heart and immune system healthier. Bonus: Buy a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.
2. Floss and brush the teeth you wish to keep. Do it also for the heart you wish to nurture, the wrinkles you wish to prevent and the sexual satisfaction you wish to enjoy. And see a dental professional every six months.
3. Take omega-3 DHA pills (900 mg total) or have non-fried salmon or trout three times a week. Salmon and trout have DHA, the active omega-3 for eyes and brain (it converts to the good heart stuff, too).
4. Meditate for at least five minutes each day. Your brain (and soul) needs moments of silence to recharge, refocus and rejuvenate.
5. Drink three or more cups of coffee a day (if it agrees with you — caffeinated tea works as well) and eat curry dishes or foods with mustard to decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Plan to sleep seven to eight hours. Before you head to bed:
- Finish any must-do tasks.
- Take care of your nighttime hygiene.
- Perform deep breathing and/or meditation.
- Avoid anything too stimulating, such as watching TV or working
out. Sex, though stimulatory (we hope), is OK. In fact, it’s
recommended.
8. If you’re over the age of 40 (women) or 35 (men), take two baby aspirin (162 mg total) at breakfast; just make sure to get your doctor’s approval first. It decreases your risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence, wrinkles and some cancers.
9. Know your numbers: blood pressure, low-density and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Do whatever you can to get them to 115/75, less than 100, more than 50, less than 100 and less than 1, respectively.
10. Always get second opinions on any medication that you will take for three days or more.
-- Costco Connection, September 2011
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