Good Life Tip: 6 Good Health Tips

Posted by Jerry Lopper May 3, 2007

The May/June issue of AARP The Magazine contains a summary of six habits we can each utilize to improve our immunity systems and realize greater health. All are backed by research studies that, at the least, indicate these are helpful in maintaining and improving health.

• Laugh - As the Readers Digest long proclaimed, laughter is the best medicine. Think of comedians Bob Hope and George Burns, both of whom remained active well into their 90's. Laughter releases endorphins, which are believed to boost immunity, AARP quotes Michael Irwin, M.D. of UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. Irwin also indicates that laughter reduces stress hormones, reason enough to shop in the comedy section of your video store.
• Adopt a Dog - Simply petting a dog is shown to reduce blood pressure, according to Alan Beck, Sc.D., director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University. Add in the exercise you get with your dog's daily walk, and a pet is a good investment in ongoing health.
• A Good Night's Sleep - Sleep quality is an indicator of health according to Mary Amanda Dew, Ph.D., at the University of Pittsburgh. Poor sleep increases hunger, raising the odds of obesity and related diseases.
• Mental Stimulation - Read, work puzzles, take a class, or learn a new skill. Mental exercise can delay the onset of age related dementia. Education, including self study, correlates with better health.
• Become Ingredient Savvy - Pay attention to the ingredients in the food products you purchase. A good rule of thumb is to eat products with a small number of ingredients. The additives to many processed products are high in sugar and salt.
• Meditate - Studies show that meditation correlates with improved immunity and lower stress.

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