Cleveland Clinic Wellness Experts Wish You the Best of Health
"Now is an ideal time to become proactive about wellness," says Elizabeth Ricanati, MD, a specialist in preventive medicine and women’s health. "The costs of healthcare continue to rise. Lifestyle management has proved to reverse or lessen the effects of chronic disease, improving quality of life."
Here are some reasons for you to commit to lifestyle change in 2009:
Weight management should be a family affair. At least 1 in 5 American children are overweight, and extra pounds put on in childhood are harder to shed.
Eating wisely can stave off heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancers of the breast, colon and other organs – conditions linked to high-fat, high-sodium diets.
Letting off steam through Yoga lessons, stress management sessions with a psychologist, or chair massage can lower your stress level and blood pressure. Listing reasons to be grateful at the end of each day will build up optimism, a key ingredient in the recipe for healthy living.
Lose that tired-out feeling. You’ll have more energy – guaranteed – as a healthier lifestyle helps you beat fatigue.
Nutritious meals really can taste good. Look for a healthy cooking class, meet with a registered dietitian or browse bookstores for low-fat, low-salt cookbooks.
Exercising regularly can be fun – just pick an activity you love. Keep yourself injury-free by getting pointers from a pro, whether it’s an exercise physiologist, athletic trainer or dance master, before you begin.
Stretch your dollars in a tight economy by spending less on prescriptions and doctor visits. Healthier living will head off illnesses, and reduce pain and other symptoms.
Slim down and enjoy the compliments! A thinner you will look better in clothes, but the real benefits are health-related: less pressure on painful joints and reduced risks for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Related Content
Reclaim Your Health with Lifestyle 180
Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program
Eating Sensibly to Achieve a Healthy Weight
Coping With Life's Stressors
The Role of a Registered Dietitian in Your Health Care
Exercise Basics
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s assessment and medical judgment.
