Health Lotto
Bet on these numbers when it comes to your health and come out a winner every time!
2 litres of water
You should drink on average, two litres of water everyday—this translates into 8 large glasses of H2O. Water regulates the body’s temperature, transports oxygen to the cells, flushes out harmful toxins, and protects the joints and organs. Make sure to have water with you at all times; if it’s there, you’ll drink it.
5 servings of fruits and veggies
Consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. They're filled with many important nutrients that decrease the risks of chronic diseases. It's not hard to up your intake; keep fresh fruit and veggies on hand at all times and reach for them often. Make a point of trying a new fruit or vegetable every time you go to the market. With so many varieties, you’ll have no problem meeting and even exceeding this requirement.
12 months between check-ups
Don’t wait more than twelve months between each physical check-up—this includes gynaecological exams and Pap smears. It’s important to see your doctor regularly. Early detection is your best defence against many diseases such as heart disease, cervical cancer and breast cancer.
15 SPF
It is recommended that you apply sunscreen, with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, to your face and body daily in order to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun; namely skin cancer and premature aging.
25 Max BMI
Keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25. The BMI category for normal weight is 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 or more indicates that you may be overweight, putting you at risk of developing health problems.
30 minutes of exercise
Get at least thirty minutes of activity per day. The benefits of regular exercise include disease prevention, weight management, and stress reduction. So whether it’s walking, jogging, cleaning, climbing stairs; make sure to move your body for at least half an hour (you can break this up into 3-10 minutes sessions) daily.
Bonus number: 8 hours of sleep
Adults need, on average, eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep recharges and rejuvenates the mind and body, boosts the immune system, and helps us look and feel better; all great reasons to hit the hay. To get your full dose of Zs make sleep a priority, develop regular bed hours and keep your bedroom a sleep (and sex) only zone.
Content provided in partnership with divine.ca
Author: Ines Mey
© 2009 Divine Web Media. All rights reserved.
