5 Ways to Improve Your Physical Health

In general, the human body requires six essential nutrients. These are vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and water. Your body gets or manufactures these nutrients through what you consume.

Since no two bodies have the exact same nutritional needs, you should consult your physician or nutritionist to determine the diet that's right for you.

Here are just a few very general tips on eating well:

• Maximize your intake of whole foods, such as fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit, and grains, such as oats.
• Minimize your intake of processed foods, such as items made with white flour, hydrogenated oil, or white table sugar.
• Keep fat intake to less than 30% of your total daily calories.
• Minimize your intake of saturated fat.
• Consume salt, alcohol, and sugars (such as white table sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, maltose, and molasses) only in moderation.

For more information, view the food pyramid, a general nutrition guide developed by the United States Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health and Human Services.

5. Sleep well.

Just as it needs aerobic and anaerobic activity, your body also needs to rest. During sleep, your body regenerates cells, circulates nutrients, and gives your muscles and organs rest.

Different people require different amounts of sleep. Get to know what your body requires, and manage your time so that your body gets the rest it needs to help you be your best when you awaken. After all, studies indicate that humans are more attentive and productive after getting an adequate amount of sleep.

Here are some brief tips on sleeping well:

• Avoid caffeine 5 hours before you go to sleep.
• Keep the room in which you sleep dark.
• Avoid alcohol before going to bed.
• Avoid exercising 3 hours before going to sleep.

Visit the Better Sleep Council web site for more information.

This article is part of the Human Body Event and the Holistic Therapy 2000 Event here at Suite 101.

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