The weather is finally (albeit in fits and starts) warming up here in the Northeast. The spring season is a time for renewal, which means it’s also a good time to reassess your health habits and maybe renew a few good ones that may have lapsed or even start brand-new ones. To give you some ideas on healthy habits to try, we’ve summarized a few health tips and topics from our past blog posts:
- You may have started off the New Year with good intentions of reaching a healthy weight. If you haven’t seen the results you were hoping for, consider keeping a food journal. Studies have shown that writing down everything you eat and drink can make you more aware and help you identify some barriers to your weight loss. If you need help deciphering your journal, consider consulting with a nutritionist.
- We all know exercise has an endless list of benefits. Getting started and sticking with an exercise routine can be the biggest challenge. You might enjoy the solitude of working out on a treadmill at a gym with your headphones; or you may want to incorporate social interaction with a walking group. Trying different types of exercise will help you determine what you like and what you don’t like. New to exercise? Check with your doctor before starting any program. Once you decide what exercise is right for you, make sure you read this article to help you choose the right athletic shoe.
- As the daffodils and tulips start to emerge from the ground, your thoughts turn to cleaning up your yard. Did you know you can actually burn a couple hundred calories an hour working in your garden? While gardening is great way to get fresh air and beautify your home, you may be using muscles you haven’t used all winter. Read tips here for stretching and preventing injury before gardening.
- After a long winter, getting outside and getting some sun feels good! We all know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but did you know you need to protect your eyes as well? Getting your eyes checked at least every two years and choosing the best sunglasses is important, too!
- As part of your spring cleaning, check your medicine chest for expired prescription medications. Check with your town or local police department to see if they have a program where they will safely dispose of medications for you. Read our guide to safe, proper medication disposal.
- The local farmers markets will be opening up in a few months and are a great place to get fresh fruits and vegetables. See nutritionist Anne Danahy’s blog post about the Seven Seasonal Superfoods.
- Age-related losses in memory or motor skills simply result from inactivity and a lack of mental exercise and stimulation. In other words, exercise your mind as well as your body! Learning new skills all through life contributes to healthy brain function. Pick up or renew a language; play word games and do crossword puzzles; learn to play a musical instrument; sing in a choir. Read more ways to live a long and healthy life.
- Spring is the perfect time to get out there and take a walk or visit a state park. Biking is another great family activity. Before you hit the road or the trails, make sure you get your child properly fitted with a bike helmet. It’s important to be a good role model for your kids, so get yourself a bike helmet, too!