Health Matters

Shape Up For Spring

By Kennika Freeman

That's right BSU, spring is here! As the warm weather coaxes the world around us to come alive again, we're shedding our heavy sweaters and unhealthy winter habits, ready to spring to life. And while this season is a great time to renew our commitment to a healthy lifestyle, it's also a time when we may face unrealistic expectations. After months of cozying up on the couch with our favorite foods, we try to make up for it in spring with strict diets and punishing workouts.

This spring I encourage you to do things differently: Renew yourself with a safe and effective approach to healthy living. Every journey needs a map, or else you won't get to where you are going. Vague ideas about getting more exercise or changing your eating habits won't get you far. This kind of thinking probably hasn't worked for you in the past, so don't make that mistake again.

As you prepare for the spring season and embark on this incredible reawakening of nature and all of its beauty, it's helpful to also create a life that is filled with health and vitality. When you focus on creating a fulfilling, energetic life, you'll get more out of life than you ever expected.

Consider some of the following healthy tips and ideas to get you started on the right foot:

Start or maintain an active lifestyle. Whether you prefer organized sports, a public gym, or the solitude of a park, find a place to get some exercise. Walking is one of the most effective and easiest exercises to include in your daily schedule. A good pair of walking shoes, a bottle of cold water and a good friend is all you need to make it enjoyable and healthy.

Prepare and eat nutritious meals made from healthy, wholesome ingredients. Easter marks the time when fresh vegetables, fruits, and healthy foods abound. Create a daily diet around these fresh ingredients and include lean meats and plenty of water. Go light on the carbs, fats, and sugars and you'll look and feel better.

Get an annual checkup! We often overlook this important aspect of health care, but prevention is just as important as treatment. A check-up will determine if your blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, blood sugar, and other indicators are within normal range. Women should also include an annual pap-smear and breast exam/mammogram, while men should include a prostate exam. Health plans provide healthy preventive guidelines for all ages so be sure to visit the health plan's website.

Sun really does feel good on the skin, but please don't burn your pretty skin! Don't overexpose your skin under the sun, and remember to put sunscreen of at least SPF of 15 whenever you think you will spend a long time under the sand. And rehydrate your body by drinking lots of water.

Get your antihistamines ready! And always have your environment clean. Avoid going to dusty places without bringing a handkerchief with you. Always have a Kleenex with you or a hanky, plus a sanitizer always keep in handy to make sure you're not taking any germs at all or you're not sharing it to others. And of course, don't forget to wash your hands. If you are having flu symptoms, drink a lot of water. And avoid drinking fluids on extreme temperatures like too hot or too cold.

Well, there are many other tips we could talk about; it's a broad topic that contains various healthy ways how to change your lifestyle. The main factor of changing your life this springtime is to start your healthy journey and stick to it for the rest of your life. It's time; let's go!