October 2005

Taking Ownership of Your Health

Wellness begins at home. Or at least it should. Have you taken ownership of your own health or do you still believe that your doctor (or insurance company) is your healthcare provider? We now only have a sick care system.

The United States has exceptional medical care and many of the finest doctors on the planet. Some of them are right here in the Triangle. And yet, we continue to see increases in obesity, degenerative diseases, diabetes and heart disease. The consensus is that our American lifestyle is killing us. Maybe it’s our homes.

We know we should “eat better” and “exercise regularly” and yet, we don’t. Why? Because it’s hard to do! Our busy, over-booked lives make it difficult. The guilt adds stress to the situation.

The answer? Create a Wellness Home for you and your family. It’s easy, it’s cost effective and it will positively affect your family’s health. If you incorporate these few simple ideas into your everyday life you have a good chance at improving the health of everyone in your home. All of these suggestions are easy to implement and do not require any additional time.

First, start with your water. Municipal water is safe to drink but it may not be good for you. Chlorine is not necessary for good health. So, filter your drinking water and your shower water (your skin will love it!) Well water? Have it tested. Be safe. There is no need to filter all of the water for your entire house. Chlorine is fine for laundry and toilet flushing.

Not a water drinker? Get over it. Our bodies are 70% water and need to be properly hydrated. Drink 8-12 glasses a day and stop drinking soda, especially diet soda, limit your tea and coffee drinking and keep alcohol to a minimum.

Air is next. Our homes are so airtight that our indoor air may be worse than the outdoor air. Filter your air, especially in your bedrooms. Ideally, you’ll do it without adding ozone to your air. Your family is probably not ozone deficient. Hopefully it goes without saying…no smoking.

After clean air and good water, what’s next? Nutrition and food. It is nearly impossible to eat enough fruits and vegetables to get all of the servings you need to meet your nutritional needs. Supplementing is the only way to achieve it. If you aren’t taking vitamins already, start today. Get high-quality vitamins, there is a difference. And, cut out fast food.

Exercise is key. Many experts agree that exercise will bring you the biggest health benefit. What can you do right away that doesn’t take much time? Walk. Go for a walk with your husband. Walk with your kids or a friend…talk at the same time. Take the stairs. Park further from the door. Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day. It’s a start. Just do it.

Lastly, and perhaps truly the most important, get a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation is rampant and affects productivity, impacts performance and is as dangerous as alcohol impairment behind the wheel.

You can live a long time drinking tap water and breathing unfiltered air. Fast food is not good for you but it won’t kill you overnight. Decades without exercise will not kill you either. But string a few nights of poor sleep together and it’s a recipe for disaster. Some scientists believe a lack of sleep may have a role in diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and even obesity.

As we get older we tend to sleep less. It’s not that we need less sleep, we just sleep less. Nights are often interrupted by noise or pain. Create a good sleep routine; keep your bedroom cool and dark. Using a sound conditioner at night may help you to relax. To get more information about the importance of sleep visit: www.sleepnet.com.

It’s fairly safe to say that most “fifty something’s” have taken better care of their finances than they have of their health. How sad it is (or will be) to have everything in order and not have the health and vitality to enjoy it. It’s not too late to invest in wellness.

Wellness made simple. Water. Air. Nutrition. Exercise. Sleep.

Elizabeth Cochrane is a Sleep and Wellness Consultant in Raleigh. She may be reached at 919-475-4098 or at ecochrane@sleepconsultantzzz.com