When it comes to staying healthy, you know that smoking is a big no-no and that you need to exercise regularly…eat well…get plenty of sleep…and see your doctor for routine checkups and screenings. Isn’t that enough?
Well, no. There actually are some other practices that are followed by people, including myself, who want to do everything possible—and I do mean everything—to stay healthy. Some people might accuse you of being a little, well, extreme. But your health is worth it! To go that extra mile, here’s my advice…
TACTIC #1: Get naked. When’s the last time that you stood in your birthday suit in front of a mirror? You should do it weekly, even if you’re not thrilled by what you see!
Once you’re nude, look for anything that wasn’t there before. This obviously includes marks such as moles and discolored areas. And if you know what to look for, your skin can tell even more.
Example: Look at the hair on your lower legs. Is it thinner than it used to be? Is there less hair on one leg than the other? Diminished leg hair may be the first sign of peripheral artery disease, impaired circulation in the legs that greatly increases heart attack risk. Keep a list of the changes you see to discuss at your next doctor visit. If there’s a significant change in anything you notice, see your doctor right away.
TACTIC #2: Stand up straight. Moms and drill sergeants aren’t the only ones who will call you out for a slouchy, hunched-over appearance. You can add me to that list—because posture is an important predictor of long-term health.
Poor posture has been linked to arthritis, headaches, impaired circulation and indigestion. Studies have shown that people with hyperkyphosis—a hunched position, with the head and shoulders folded forward—are 2.4 times more likely to die from atherosclerosis than those with good posture.
Bonus: People who stand up straight also look younger and healthier. They feel happier—and happier people tend to live longer.
TACTIC #3: Protect those ears. If you find yourself at a concert, loud party, racetrack or any other place where you have to shout to be heard, you could be increasing your risk for hearing loss. Of course, the best approach is to keep some clean earplugs in your pocket or purse.
But if you don’t have earplugs with you, then wad up a small piece of paper napkin and stuff it in your ears (but not too far). This will help protect the tiny ear cells (cilia). Sure, your friends might chuckle, but let them. Your hearing is far too important to put at risk!
TACTIC #4: Wash up at least five times a day. People who wash their hands at least five times a day—with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer—are less likely to get the flu than those who wash less often. They’re also less likely to get colds and more serious infections such as pneumonia.
You don’t have to be crazy about it. Washing your hands about five times a day is usually enough—more if you’re around people who are sick. So if you’re in a restaurant, don’t feel embarrassed about excusing yourself to go wash your hands before eating. Washing your hands after using the toilet goes without saying—though a surprising number of people don’t do it.
But you should also wash up (with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds) before you prepare (or eat) food…after petting an animal…after you touch garbage…and after you blow your nose or cough or sneeze into your hands, says the CDC. Since I can’t always get to a sink, I keep some Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes in my pocket (for me, they’re more convenient than the gel).
TACTIC #5: Go for the pat-down. Many experts swear that airport full-body “backscatter” X-ray scanners are safe, but I’m not convinced. These airport scanners emit a minuscule amount of radiation—if they’re calibrated correctly. A few years ago, the Transportation Security Administration announced that it was retesting machines at 38 airports. Why? Because the records showed some radiation doses that were 10 times higher than expected. (Standard metal detectors you walk through do not emit ionizing radiation.)
Until research proves beyond any doubt that the technology is safe, I suggest that you bypass airport X-ray scanners (the ones that require you to raise your arms while you stand still to get scanned) and request a manual pat-down. You might hold up the line a bit, but there’s no need to get any additional radiation.
