365 Health Tips - Learn Quick-n-Easy Health Tips for Everyday of the Year

8/12/2019 365 Health Tips - Learn Quick-n-Easy Health Tips for Everyday of the Year

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365 Quick-N-Easy Health Tips

for Everyday of the YearJill Frankel

Learn one simple health tip every day of the year.


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365 Health Tips

Tips are categorized into subject areas so that you can choose the ones youd like for

specific projects.

The categories include:

General Health Insomnia Exercise Managing Chronic Illness or Health Conditions Mental Health Skin Care Teeth Allergies Blood Pressure Tips First Aid Diet and Weight Loss Holiday Health Pet Health Workplace Health


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General Health

1. Do everything in moderationand that includes eating, drinking, exercising and takingsupplements and vitamins.

2. Drink 8-9 glasses of water a day if youre a woman; 12-13 if male. Water gets rid oftoxins by flushing them through your kidneys. People age more quickly when chronically

dehydratedwhich describes the average North American today.

3. Drink more water when exercisingat least 1 cups. More if your exercise is aerobic.If you have diarrhea, be sure to keep up your water intakedehydration is the biggest

danger (particularly with the elderly). Drink more in hot weather, too.

4. Drink more water if you are pregnant or nursing. (10 cups for pregnant women; 13 fornursing mothers.)

5. Eat raw leafy greens and fruits that have been thoroughly washed for maximumnutrition value. Heating destroys nutrients, so eat raw whenever possible except for

meat.

6. Women should eat no more than 60g carbohydrate per day for optimal health. If you fallasleep after meals, its most likely carb overload but see your doctor to make sure its

not diabetes.

7. Avoid processed foodsthey increase your risk of colon and bowel cancer, contributeto weight gain; plus they often contain dubious additives (and lots of sugar).

8. Shop from the outer produce and meat aisles in your grocery store. Youll be making theright choices and choosing lots of natural fiber, which your body needs for good colon

health (and lower cholesterol).

9. Watch for unhealthy or empty additives like sugar or cornstarch in all the food youbuy. Dont assume that something saying milk is 100% pure milk, or that herb teas

contain only herbs. You may be shocked at how many additives you find in food you

thought was pure.

10.Dont eat when watching TV or reading. People tend to bolt food down without payingattention when involved in these activities. Eating becomes emotional (connected with

relaxation and reward) and this leads to comfort eating.

11.Eat slowly, take small mouthfuls and chew your food well. Concentrate on what youreeating. Not only will you enjoy your food more, youll be less likely to suffer heartburn

or indigestionand less likely to overeat.

12.Buy organic fresh produce whenever you can. Produce that is not organic is oftensprayed with pesticides, genetically modified, gas-ripened and coated with waxes.

13.Dont skip meals. It creates the illusion of dieting so that you tend to eat more later plus it lowers your resistance to temptation later, when you suddenly realize youre

hungry.


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14.Eat sufficient protein for the day. The average 140lb woman needs at least 52g;pregnant women always 10g more. There are many ways to calculate protein per body

weight, but the easiest method is to multiply your actual weight by .37.

15.Dont decrease your protein when dieting! Instead, decrease fats OR carbs. Eat moreleafy vegetables and low-carb fruits (berries, melon). If you are dropping your carbs, you

should actually increase your protein.

16.Avoid extreme diets. The body needs fats, carbs and protein for optimal health. To shortyourself out in any one area can be risky.

17.Be aware that your brain needs fats to function. Use good fat low in poly-unsaturates,such as olive oil.

18.Wash all fresh produce thoroughly. Be aware that nowadays a quick rinse under the tapmay not be enough.

19.Do your best to get the proper amount of sleep (minimum 7 hours per night). Go to bedon time. Switch off the light. Get into the habit of doing this at the same time everynightit can really help you avoid insomnia.

20.Drink Tart Cherry Juice. Did you know tart cherry juice reduces muscle sorenessnaturally? Add a glass ofcherry juiceto your workout routine.
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Insomnia

21.Try a glass of hot milk with a small pinch of ground nutmeg if you cant sleep. The aminoacids in the milk acts like a natural sedative. (Dont bring the milk to a boil;take it off the

burner just as it starts to sizzle round the edges, if youre heating it on the stovetop.)

22.Try reading an old favorite before bed if you have insomnia not an exciting newbook. Old favorites tend to relax uswhich can often put our nervous systems into the

required parasympathetic state and send us to sleep.

23.Treat yourself to a massage, reflexology treatment, Reiki treatment or the like: This toowill relax you and help you function better.

24.Add any form of exercise that calls for slow, rhythmic breathing to your daily routine.Not breathing deeply enough actually causes or aggravates many health conditions such

as stress, digestive difficulties, depression and insomnia.

25.Take vitamin D supplements during the winter months, if you live in a colder climate.Our bodies naturally synthesize vitamin D from the sunlight, and during winter monthswe often go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Take no more than 250

micrograms daily (10,000 IU).

26.Look into light therapy, if you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), depressionor insomnia that is noticeably worse in the winter months.

27.Bananas are natural sedatives (perhaps because one banana contains 27gcarbohydrates).

Exercise

28.Exercise is vital to the proper functioning of all organs. 20 minutes of brisk walking perday should be your minimum.

29.Do a series of slow stretches before any cardio exerciseand do them again at the endof your walk, run, treadmill session or rowing machine marathon. This will help avoid a

buildup of lactic acid in your tissues.

30.Pay attention to breathing when you exercise. If you are lifting weights, exhale as youlift the weights, and inhale when you lower them. (Too many people do it the opposite

way!) Doing it the wrong way can significantly raise your blood pressure.

31.If you have a problem exercise you find hard to do or a problem body area, do slow,extra stretches for that body area. Then try the exercise again.

32.Dont push yourself beyond your limit. Macho has no place in sports or exercise, andonly leads to permanent injury. Your body is telling you somethinglisten to it!

33.If your sport requires extreme effort, follow the advice of your coachand get injuriesseen to immediately at a sports clinic rather than at your family doctors.


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34.If you are overweight, check with your doctor to make sure you have no healthconditions that might require you to make adjustments in your exercise regime.

35.There are many different types of gym for many different types of people. Often peoplewho have bad gym experiences simply signed up for the wrong type of gym with the

wrong type of crowd.

36.If you are new to exercising and gym workouts, resist the temptation to lose yourselfin an impersonal mega-gym: Find a small gym that caters to all ages or to people in your

age groupand make sure they include a session with a personal trainer first, to work

out the ideal routine for you.

37.Use Google+ Local to review local gyms. If any have problems, youll most likely hearabout it there.

38.Everybody needs three basic types of exercisecardio, to raise your heart rate (the realfat burner); weight training, to build up muscle strength and endurance; and stretches,

to condition the muscles before exercise and prevent the build-up of lactic acid

afterwards.

39.Be aware that certain autoimmune conditions may make it impossible for you to liftweights. If you are having real problems, dont push it: Tell your gym professional and

your doctor or sports clinician.

40.You dont need more than 45 minutes cardio, maximum, so resist the urge to pushyourself past your limits or revel in endorphins. Overdoing it can cause muscle

problems, shin splints and other injuries.

41.You need at least 20 minutes of cardio with the heart rate elevated for it to be effectivebut if you are overweight, have other health conditions or you are not used to

exercise, it is not only okay but highly advisable for safety reasons to start with as littleas five or ten minutes a session and build up to 20 minutes gradually.

42.Dont let anyone else push you into exceeding your exercise limitsor stopping themunless you are a serious athlete and that person is your professional coach or health

professional.

43.Learn about eating and drinking in relation to exercising. If you are going to eat carbs,the best time is before a workout. Make sure you are well-hydrated, toobut dont eat

or drink immediately before a workout.

44.Eat small meals before exercisingeven if you are weight training. Avoid high fats andprocessed food; and save most of your protein for later.

45.Dont assume all protein bars are okay to eat before exercising. Look for ones that areunder 250 calories, dont exceed 8 grams of protein and are no morethan 15-25% of

carbohydrates.

46.Make it your business to learn about all the different types of exercise options out thereand find one that is ideal for your health, body type, needsand interests.


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47.Vary your workout activities. If you always use the rowing machine, for example, switchto a treadmill for a few weeks or sessions. This will help you avoid injury from over-using

a particular muscle or muscle group.


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Mental Health

48.Take ten minute nothing breaks, where all you do is sit and relax and focus on being inthe moment. Have a cup of tea. Admire the sunlight pouring in through your window;

the way it sparkles on drops of rain on your window pane.

49.Pay attention to your breathing. Take several slow, deep breaths whenever you thinkabout it. This will help reduce stress and oxygenate your cells.

50.Go for a walk. It can be small, but make it a fast one. Getting out in the fresh air andoxygenating your cells will help boost your mood (particularly if you are depressed or

prone to worrying or obsessing about details).

51.If you have problems with anxiety, save it all for a Worry Period every day. Take half-an-hour, and during this half hour, do all your worrying. Really get into it. Catastrophize,

even. But at the end of the half hour, table everything till tomorrows worry period. It

might be hard to do at firstbut if you can learn this skill, you will find that worry no

longer controls you.

52.Learn to say no. Some people are born caretakers and inevitably take on too much. Ifthis is you, people are used to you taking on all their stuff. Practice saying: I cant do

that right now, my plate is full. Dont explain, dont apologize. Just keep repeating it

firmly. It will seem hard to do at first, and the people in your life will up the control

and may even be angry at your selfishness but just stay firm. Theyll get over it when

they finally see you mean it.

53.Take on a volunteer activity. It will help you get outside of your own head and focus onothers for a while. Youll also interact, connect and knowing that you are making a

difference to your community will boost your self-worth.

54.Take on a challenge. Learn a new skill. Take up a new hobby. Take a community collegecourse. Our brains become stuck in old neural pathways: Making new pathways helps us

stay alert, build confidence and keeps us feeling young.

55.Create mini-goals. Dont plan to climb Mount Everest, even if thats your ultimate goal:Plan to start with a 15-minute walk every day first.

56.Join a club. Commit to going to one meeting a month, even if you dont feel like it. Thisis a great way for people recovering from depression or agoraphobia in particular to re-

connect with life. You are interacting for short periods of time under controlled

conditionsover a common interest you all enjoy.

57.Get help! If you know you have a problem such as anxiety or depression, consult aprofessional. Even if youre on a tight budget, there are most likely free counseling

services in your area. Be proactive and find out.

58.Join a support group, if you have a particular problem. For example, if your depression iscaused by fibromyalgia, find and join the nearest fibromyalgia support group. If your


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problem is excess weight, join a weight loss group. If youre a trauma survivor, find a

PTSD group.

59.If a support group doesnt exist locally for your particular challengestart one! (Book aroom at your local library and ask the librarians for help in publicizing it.)

60.Make time every day for at least one activity you enjoy. Take a reading break for an houror even half an hourevery afternoon. If reading isnt your thing, crochet. Ifcrocheting is not your main passion, bake cookies. Whatever it is you love to do, youll

know it because you probably never have time to do it. So make time. Youll feel a lot

better!

61.Find tools to make your everyday life easier. If you work at home, use timers (eitheronline ones or even just your stove-top timer). Buy small appliances that help you

simplify drudgery tasks.

62.Get rid of unnecessary tasks. Sometimes we think we have to do them and we dont.Hire a teen to cut your lawn, if it regularly breaks your back or puts your blood pressure

up. Delegate the dishes to your spouseespecially if you both work. Give up thatvolunteer job that is tiring you out and has become a total chore.

63.Consider getting a pet. They give back more than they demand, in most cases. If you areforced to be sedentary by disability or age, try a cat. If you are in normal health, a dog

can provide you with companionship and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

(They do have to go outside; and youll get your daily walk!)

64.Make sure you are doing your part to maintain optimal physical health. Drink your 8glasses of water a day. Take your short walk. Do your breathing exercises. Take up yoga

or treat yourself to regular reflexology or Reiki treatments. Eat healthily! If we neglect

our bodies, we cant expect ourminds to be in perfect health.65.If you suffer from depression, dress for success! One of the first things to go in

depression is physical appearance. If you can face it, do your hair. Put on your makeup.

Its admittedly an effort, but if you can get into the habit of dressing up a little, it will

add to your well-being and self-respect.

66.Choose nice clothes when getting dressed. Resist the urge to hide by wearing baggy,shapeless clothing in dull, drab colors: It may feel safeto dress drably, but it wont

boost your mood or your self-worth.

67. Use color as part of your therapy. Cheer yourself up by wearing your favorite pink shirt.Energize yourself with that magenta shawl. Put up colored fairy lights over your bed.

Knit with rainbow-colored wool.

68.Make small mini-goals, when suffering from depression. Realize that on some dayssimply getting dressed is as great an achievement as going to the gym for the average

person.


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69.Take a class when youre ready to start socializing again. Classes are controllable in thatthey are short, structured and friendly without being personal. Its a great way to get

used to being with people once more.

70.Dont beat yourself upif you suffer from depression. You will have good days and baddays. If getting out of bed and taking a shower is your only achievement that day,

congratulate yourself and take a well-deserved rest. (Tomorrow will be better!)


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Managing Chronic Illness or Health Conditions

71.Take your medicationand take it at the same time, every day. (The doctors offices arefilled with people complaining because their health conditions have flared up or gone

out of controlwho turn out to be careless about taking their medication!

72.Use a dosette (a weekly pill organizer), if you have trouble remembering your daily pills.That way, you only have to glance at the chamber for that particular day to see if youve

taken them or not.

73.If you need to use a dosette, make sure its a type that works best for you. If you needto take your medication once a day, a weekly dosette with one chamber per day will

most likely be right for you. If you take pills multiple times per day, choose a dosette

with the right number of chambers per day.

74.Push yourself out of your physical or mental envelope at least once a daybut just insmall ways. For example, if you dont do any exercises at all, try ten minutes of stretches

even while seated in your chair (you can find plenty of examples online). But do learn to

recognize the fine line between pushing yourself out of your envelope and over-doing it!

75.Make sure you get enough rest. Change any patterns that are unhealthy. Buy a newpillow.

76.Purchase aids from your nearest Home Health store, if you have particular healthchallenges. For example, if you have trouble unscrewing jars, buy a simple jar opening

device. If you have trouble reaching up on the top shelf, by a reaching aid or pick up tool

with an extended handle.

77.Replace any assistive devices that no longer work well for you. If your walker hurts yourback, get a professional to help you choose a better one. If youve lost more feeling inyour fingers, buy a different type of jar opener. Get a walker, if your cane no longer feels

safe.

78.Remember that assistive devices are there to help you function as normally as possibleso make use of them! They are your friends. Use your hearing aid. Get a telephone

whose volume can be adjusted for the hard of hearing. Buy a jar opener, if you are

reduced to tears of pain and frustration, every time you try to open a jar.

79.Drink at least one glass of water before and after taking your pills, if they give youindigestion or heartburn. If water makes it worse, try milk. (Check your medication

bottle label first, to make sure this isnt contra-indicated.)

80.Dont define yourself by your illness. You are still you. Instead of saying my diabetes,say this diabetes, for example. (Many people have reported that this small change

makes them feel more in control of their illnessand more hopeful.)

81.Ask for help! If you have particular challenges, hire people to take over those tasks orassign them to family members.


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82.Speak up and be assertive about your needs. It is easy for family members to grow usedto our limitationsand indeed we tend to do that, too. But if you can no longer manage

a task or you find yourself in pain or over-tired after doing a particular chore, let people

know clearly that you need helpthen enable them to assist you by telling them exactly

how they can help.

83.Save your frustrations for your support group. We can become absorbed by our illnessesor health conditionsparticularly if we are in a lot of pain. Family members can become

worn downor tune out if we talk endlessly about our frightening or unbearable

symptoms. (And if you keep 90% of this talk for your support group or for your home

care worker, you may be surprised to find yourself feeling more energized and better

about yourself, too.)

84.Be appropriate. Remember that no one but your gastroenterologist wants to hear aboutyour bowels.

85.Remember to say thank youto family members and caregivers. They are partners inyour journey through your chronic condition. If they are helpful partners, let them knowhow much you appreciate themand dont take them for granted.

86.Fill your life with things (and people) that make you feel better about living. If freshflowers cheer you up, treat yourself to a new bunch every week. If escaping into books

really helps you manage a terminal illness, plan a library trip (or have someone fetch you

library books) every week.

87.Make small goalsand reward yourself when you achieve them (even if you only tellyourself you did well!) And it doesnt matter if the goal is as small as remembering to

drink the daily orange juice you need to keep up your potassium levels.

88.Use humor to help you manage pain and debilitation. Its easy to become depressedwhen dealing with a chronic illness, but give your emotions a break (and a positive

boost) by watching your favorite funny sit-com, re-reading your favorite funny books or

re-watching your favorite funny movies. (Its true what they say: Laughter really IS the

best medicine!)

89.Surround yourself with positive peopleand make sure you do your best to be one ofthem!

90.Make lists. Pain or illness tends to wear us down and fuzz-ify our brains. Using listshelps us keep track of important tasks.

91.Use your calendar. Dont miss appointments!92.Be proactive about your condition. This does involve stretching out of comfort zones,

but speak up! Dont let medical staff talk down to you, or brush off your concerns.

Ultimately, you are the one responsible for making sure you get the best care (and the

best help).


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Skin Care

93.No amount of skin cream in the world will do you much good if you neglect to take inthe optimal amounts of water per day.

94.Start protecting your skin against aging early, using retinol-based skin creams wellbefore you notice wrinkles.

95.Always wear a sunscreen product when planning to go outdoors for more than a fewminutes. UV exposure has increased 25% since 1979, according to a 2010 edition of the

Journal of Geophysical Research.

96.While artificial tanning or prolonged, unprotected periods in the sun can result in skincancer, avoiding sunlight altogether is also harmful. We need sunlight to synthesize

vitamin D in our systems. (A severe lack of vitamin D causes rickets, a disease which

softens the bones).

97.If your eye cream leaves you with puffy morning eyes, its definitely too rich for yourskin typeno matter how old you are. Richer does not automatically mean better:

Suit the richness of your cream to your particular skin type and condition.

98.Massaging an ice cube over your face can help hydrate your skin and reduce puffiness.99.In summer, try placing slices of refrigerated cucumber on closed eyelids to gently soften

skin and reduce puffiness.

100. If you suffer from dark circles under your eyes, try covering closed eyelids withslices of raw potato. In addition to being slightly astringent, potatoes contain an enzyme

called catalase, which helps lighten dark skin.

101. Many cosmetic surgeons wont operate on a person who smokes, becausesmoking interferes with healing.

102. Smoking accelerates wrinkles and aging by causing your blood vessels andcapillaries to shrink, leading to premature wrinklingnot just in your face, but all over

your body.

103. Regular sugar consumption also ages the skin through glycation, which changessturdy type III collagen to delicate and easily-damaged type I. People who habitually eat

sugar are known to suffer from over-large pores and dull skin.

104. Use egg white as a face mask. Its all natural, gentle and its natural collagenhelps feed and tighten your pores.

105. If your hair is dull and limp, try adding an egg yolk to your shampoo. Leave onhair for 3 minutes; then rinse thoroughly. The yolks nutrients moisturize, restore

protein, add vitamins and help your hair grow faster.

106. Vitamin B12 injections can sometimes help female alopecia (depending on thecause and a combination of other factors).


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107. Realize that what you eat affects hair as well as skin. If your diet is protein- orvitamin-deficient, your hair will quickly suffer.

108. Dont assume that products boasting the word natural in their packagingaresafe. Over 60% of brand-name lipsticks actually contain lead; and you should still look

for giveaway words like parabensand petrolatumin skin product ingredient lists.

109. Throw away any skin lotion containing vitamin C that starts to discolor: It meansoxidization has crept in, and it now may actually harm your skin through the higher

levels of acid produced.

110. If you want to be sure your skin care products are safe, check them againstcosmeticsdatabase.com.

Teeth

111. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can injure your mouth with hard bristles; plusthey dont do as good a job at removing trapped food particles between your teeth.

112. Brush for at least two minutes.113. Dont brush too hard especially when using a battery or electric-powered

toothbrush. Let the toothbrush do all the work (not your wrist).

114. Hold your toothbrush as if it was a pencil: You will get into difficult areas moreeasilyand be less likely to brush too hard.

115. Dentists know all too well that cola is one of the biggest culprits in strippingenamel from teeth. If you must drink cola beverages, brush your teeth immediately

afterwards.

116. If you have tooth pain, dont ignore it. Serious infections, such as septicemia, canresult from infection getting into the sinuses and bloodstream, if your tooth is abscessed

or the root is damaged.

117. Pull sideways rather than down when you floss: Youll do a better job ofdislodging food particlesand youll be less likely to cut your gums!

118. If you run out of toothpaste, you can use ordinary household salt sprinkled onyour wet toothbrush. Not only will it do a great job of cleaning your teeth, it helps cut

down on infection, too.

119. If you have bad breath, try brushing your tongue as well as your teeth. Thenrinse both your toothbrush and your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash.


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120. Remember there are multiple causes for bad breath, including helicobacterpylori infections in the gut (something people with chronic reflux often suffer from) and

an abnormally dry mouth.

121. If your mouth is chronically dry, there are two things you should do: Drink morewaterand get a mouthwash and toothpaste especially for people with dry mouth

syndrome. (Biotene is a popular and inexpensive brand.)

122. Never ever use your teeth as a tooldont use them to open bobby pins, foil orplastic wrappers or bottle tops. Teeth are for chewing food (and that doesnt mean

chomping ice cubes or cracking nuts).

123. Using a straw to sip coffee or tea is one way to keep your teeth whiter. (Makesure your chosen beverage is not scalding-hot, first!) Using a straw helps bypass and

protect tooth enamel at the front of your mouth.

124. If you must home-whiten teeth use the stripsnot the trays. You cannotdamage your gums or enamel with the strips, but the potential for acid damage exists

with the tray-type whiteners.

125. If you have color-matched fillings in the front of teeth visible when you smile,avoid whitening. The fillings wont change color, and your filling will be visible after

whitening, since your teeth will be noticeably brighter.

126. Realize that heredity can determine the color of your tooth enamelas well aswhat you habitually eat. Caffeine beverages and red wine all stain teeth and damageenamelbut smoking is the worst culprit. (It damages your gum and mouth tissues, too,

as well as causing mouth and throat cancers.)

127. Certain health conditions make your teeth and gums significantly moresusceptible to infection and damage. Pay extra attention to your teeth if you have

diabetes or anti-immune disorders like Sjgrens Syndrome.

128. Brush and floss at least twice a day. If you dont regularly brush your teeth, yourisk letting over 500 types of bacteria into your bloodstream, increasing your risk for

heart attack, atherosclerosis and neck artery infection, according to a new study

published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

129. Think twice before undergoing a tongue piercing. Tongue piercings are notsimple cosmetic procedures and can seriously (and adversely) affect your health.

Tongue piercing increases your risk of deep systemic infection, endocarditis, as well as

hepatitis (A, B and C). In addition, it can leave you with a tendency to drool, altered


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taste buds, indistinct speech, food trapped in your piercing, chipped teethand there

is, in addition, a risk of bleeding to death.

130. Never, ever get your tongue pierced at popular events such as rock concerts.Your risk of complication, uncontrolled bleeding and infection triples at such venues,

due to the lack of control in hygiene and the risk of untrained personnel carrying out the

piercingas well as the lack of follow-up care.

131. If you have allergies, avoid extreme piercings such as tongue piercing (as well ascosmetic surgery): Not only do you risk allergic reactions, but you may have scar

adhesions (abnormal growth of scar tissue).

Allergies

132. Be aware that one Epipen will likely not be enough in a case of extreme allergicreaction. It is not unheard of for the necessity to administer as many as four before

emergency medical help arrives.

133. Always carry at least two Epipens if you have severe allergiesand make surethey are up to date. (Discard Epipens past their expiry date.)

134. Be aware that Benadryl is better administered for mild allergies and Epipens forsevere. Dont combine the two: If the reaction turns out to be serious, the Benadryl

could hinder the effectiveness of the Epipen.

135. Always check labels for food allergy ingredientsno matter how unlikely youthink it that youll find an allergen.

136. Make an Allergy Survival Plan. If your allergies are seasonal, start anti-histamines before you are exposed to the full brunt of pollens. Know your triggers, carry

anti-allergy aids such as Benadryl, inhalers and/or Epipensand wear an allergy

bracelet!

137. If you or your child is a member of a sports team, and have seasonal or severeallergies, alert the team coach. Supply him with an Epipen or two, if he doesnt already

have one in his kit bag. Make sure he knows what to do (and is willing to do it) if anallergic reaction occurs.

138. Hot weather as well as allergens such as pollen can bring on severe attacks ofallergy-related asthmaparticularly when playing sports such as soccer.


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139. Cold compresses on the face and eyes can help reduce mild histamine reactionsor at least bring some relief!

140. Be aware that hair products can cause pollens to stick to your hair during allergyseason! Avoid themand wear a sunhat.

141. We all love the scent of sun-dried clothing, but dont dry your clothing outdoorson your clothes line during allergy season, if you or a family member suffers from

seasonal allergies!

142. Even if you are 100% sure what is causing your allergies (or that it is pollen-related get tested. Finding your specific allergens can increase your chances of

successfully avoiding them.

143. If you have severe seasonal allergy symptoms, consider preventative allergyshots. (You will need to be tested first for these to be customized against your particularallergens.)

144. If youre allergic to one food or environmental or organic substances, chancesare youll be allergic to more. In the case of foodstuffs, educate yourself about related

substances. (For example, tomatoes, green peppers and potatoes are all part of the

nightshade family: If you are allergic to one, you are most likely at least sensitive to

other members of that family.)

145. Never, ever assume people are saying they have allergies to seek attention orthat they have just a little allergy. A shocking number of people (especially children)have suffered severe anaphylactic reactions thanks to relatives, friends or parents of

friends determined to prove they are not allergic, administering the forbidden

substance in foods, sauces and medications.

146. Never, ever take anyones wordfor what is (or isnt) in a medication they areoffering you, if you have severe allergies. That especially goes double for brand-name,

over-the-counter or prescription medications that come in more than one version (e.g.

Tylenol with codeine; Tylenol without.) By accepting their word (and the medication)

you are taking your life into your hands (even if that migraine is severe!)

147. Celiac disease is not a gluten allergy it is an intolerance. A true gluten allergyis a tested, proven anaphylactic reaction to wheat.

148. Small children are at the greatest risk of severe anaphylactic reactions if they areexposed to allergens.


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149. Preparing food on cutting boards that have been used for allergen-producingfoods (such as almonds) can result in severe anaphylactic reactions for the person with

the allergyeven if you washed the cutting board. (Same goes for the knife or chopper

you used on your almonds!)

150. It is your responsibility to insist on anti-allergen safety, if you are old enough tounderstand what you have. Dont put your life in the hands of other people by blithely

trusting they understand your allergieseven adults.

151. Realize that allergies can worsen. That mild reaction you had to almonds can belife-threatening, the next time you eat anything containing even a hint of that

substance.

152. Bee-sting allergies usually manifest on the second sting.153. Typical insect sting results include swelling, itchiness and redness, but are not

necessarily allergiesjust reactions to the venom. However, do remove any rings, if

stung on your fingers, since your hand can swell up uncomfortably.

154. Severe anaphylactic reactions to insect stings (as well as certain foods andmedications) include: Difficulty breathing, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, swelling of

the mouth or throat, swelling of the face, rapid pulse, rapid blood pressure drop,

difficulty swallowing. Learn these symptoms and know what to do (after immediately

summoning professional emergency medical help), since anaphylactic reactions are

often fatal within minutes.

155. Itsa myth that severe allergies always result in immediate anaphylactic shock.Sometimes, this can be delayed. Dont die in your sleep because you assumed your

reaction was mild this time. If you know you or the person affected has a severe

allergy, seek emergency medical help straight away.

156. Never eat or even go near nuts and nut products if you are dating someone whois severely allergic to these. Its just not worth the risk: Even if you wash your hands and

brush your teeth, you could precipitate life-threatening anaphylactic shock if you make

physical contact.

157. Almost the only food substance you can never be allergic to is sodium chloride(salt). It is an essential element, needed by the body. However, additives such as

dextrose as a preservative in the salt can trigger allergic reactions: and a severe salt

shortage can trigger histamine release.


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158. The main risk for some people who like to eat a lot of salt is blood pressureelevation. In fact, many people who swear they are allergic to salt experience

unpleasant symptoms such as face flushing and chest tightness because they turn out to

have hypertension (high blood pressure).

159. Before going to the hospital or to medical appointments, be sure to let staff andhelpers know if you have an allergy to latex products. Rubber gloves and tape arent the

only culprits in the medical world: Latex is widely used and found in other aids such as IV

tubing, catheters, dental dams and tourniquets.

Blood Pressure Health

160. Exercise, healthy eating and adequate hydration constitute the best way to keepblood pressure low all your life: However, certain hereditary conditions predestine some

people to suffer hypertension later in life.

161. There are two types of hypertension: Primary and secondary. Primary is causeddirectly by lifestyle choices and habits: Secondary hypertension is caused by other

underlying health problems and conditions.

162. The biggest culprit in causing hypertension is obesity. The Framingham HeartStudy proved this conclusively in 1948 and these results have never been overturned.

163. Smoking and excess alcohol consumption are also leading causes in primaryhypertension. If you like a drink, your best bet is to stick to good red wines and drink no

more than one glass at a sitting (minimum: 1 per day).

164. Other lesser-known causes of hypertension include sleep apnea, food additivesensitivity, processed white starchy foods, excess fat consumption, thyroid conditions,

kidney disease, allergies, birth control medication, diabetes, and calcium, magnesium,

potassium or vitamin D deficiency.

165. People with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) often suffer fromhypertension. Theories so far link this to constant, abnormal spikes in adrenal stress.

166. You may have read that hypertension is the silent killer and that there are nosymptoms. This is not always the case. Symptoms of hypertension vary for different

people and can include: Headaches, dizziness, vertigo, flushed face, shortness of breath,

vision problems, irregular heartbeats, nausea and weakness. (Run to the doctor to have

your blood pressure checked if this describes you: Symptoms such as these are usually

experienced with sky-high blood pressure that is over tolerance levels.)


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167. Yoga is effective in lowering blood pressure, if practiced regularly andconsistently (especially if your hypertension is stress-related).

168. High blood pressure causes accelerated brain aging, according to a 2012 reportin medical journal The Lancet.

169. The biggest problem in treating hypertension, according to many doctors, isnon-compliance among patients. Anti-hypertensive medication can cause side effects,

many of which are unpleasantbut not as unpleasant as suffering a massive stroke or

major heart attack!

170. Know your blood pressure medicationand what to watch for. If you experienceside effects such as uncontrollable coughing not related to other causes (such as

smoking) and not present before starting the medication, call your health provider

straight way (it could be the start of a serious reaction).

171. Processed foods (especially high consumption of processed meat, which containsraised levels of fats, additives and sodium) are major culprits (along with overeating) in

primary hypertension.

First Aid and Injuries

172. Every parent, grandparent, teacher or babysitter should take a first aid coursethe Red Cross and Saint Johns Ambulance offer them in almost every North American

community. No parent should ever have to realize in hindsight they did something with

the best of intentions (or failed to do something) that cost their child his or her l ife.

173. Keep a first aid kit, blankets, and flares in your car at all times.174. If you are in (or come across) a car crash, resist the urge to free people from the

car and especially resist the urge to release seat belts: These can be compressing

internal injuries and releasing the victim can trigger massive internal bleeding.

175. The rule of thumb, when treating an accident victim, is not to remove the victimfrom the spot you find him in unless the alternative is death. (For example, he is lying in

front of an oncoming train.)

176. Make accident victims comfortable. Dont attempt to treat unless you aremedically trained. Your role is to summon emergency professional help, keep the victim

warm and reassure them until help arrives.


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177. Breathe slowly and deeply when you come across a fresh accident scene. You arelikely to be in a state of shock alsoparticularly if you witnessed the actual accident.

178. Never promise distraught family members that their seriously injured relative isgoing to be okay. Instead, tell the truth in a tactful and empathetic manner: Say

something like help will be here soon. Hang in there.

179. When assisting someone who has suffered a traumatic injury, realize that shockcan kill. To prevent it, it is essential to keep the patient warm and reassure them with

touch and voice.

180. When assisting someone stung by a bee, ascertain first of all if they suffer fromallergies to bee venom and if this is their first bee sting.

181. Do not use tweezers and be careful not to squeeze the stinger when you removeit from a bee sting woundyoull release more venom into the wound. Instead, gentlyscrape it out with the side of a needle or similar object that has first been sterilized with

rubbing alcohol.

182. Clean the wound carefully after removing a stinger. Press an ice cube onto thesting site to help reduce pain and swelling.

183. Use calamine lotion on insect bites and stings to calm itching and soreness. Withbee stings, if you dont have calamine lotion, try adding a few drops of water to about

half a teaspoon of meat tenderizer or baking soda, and gently applying the paste to the

sting site.

184. Some people swear by applying toothpaste to a bee sting site for effective relief.185. When moving into a new area (especially a rural one), make it your business to

find out if there are any indigenous insects or snakes you should learn aboutand

watch out for.

186. A cup of cola or strong, black coffee can sometimes help relieve asthma, if theperson does not have their inhaler with them. (Best used for milder attacks.)

187. If someone is having a severe asthma attackcant talk, face is blue, wheezingloudly and other similar symptomsfirst make sure it is an asthma attack (get them to

nod their head if the answer is yes, or hold up a hand) then summon emergency help.

Do your best to help them find and use their inhalers.


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188. If someone suddenly exhibits signs of distress, especially leaping up, during ameal and cannot talk, dont assume they are having a heart attack: They may be

choking. Learn the Heimlich maneuver (it will be taught during first aid classes).

189. If someone appears drunk, dont assume they are unless you can smell strongalcohol: They may be experiencing severe diabetic shock, caused by hypoglycemia (low

blood sugar). Look for a medic alert bracelet and administer some easy form of sugar

(for example, fruit juice) if you find one and the patient can confirm they are diabetic.

(Call for medical assistance anyway.)

190. If you have any health condition such as diabetes or allergies, do everyone afavor (especially yourself) and wear a medic alert bracelet!

191. Parents should wash grazes and cuts with warm soapy water, pat dry gently witha clean towel (or air dry if bleeding stops) and cover with a gauze pad and bandage or

band aid. Check the wound daily for any sign of infection (heat, redness, pus).

192. Once a graze or scrape has scabbed over, band aids should be removed.193. If there is a minor infection in a finger with obvious pus below the surface and

you cant get to medical help, soak it in water as hot as you can stand, laced with a

couple of spoonfuls of table salt. Soak at least for 15-20 minutes. Repeat when the

abscess bursts. Pat dry. Cover with antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin and a gauze

pad until the exit wound scabs over or heals.

194. Serious bleeding is a life-threatening emergency and needs to be stoppedstraight away. Apply pressure; preferably using a pad of some sort.

195. If you are applying pressure via some sort of pad to a serious wound, resist thetemptation to check and see if the bleeding has stopped. Keep pressure on the wound

(and ask someone to put a blanket or coat around the victims shoulders) until medical

help arrives.

196. Remember that bleeding can be internal, too. Call for an ambulance if there hasbeen any sort of impact or crush injuryeven if the patient insists they are okay.

197. All burns that are more than minor cooking scalds should be treated immediatelyat a hospital or doctors office.

198. All animal bites or serious scratches should be treated at a doctors office orhospital emergency department. The risk of bacterial infection is great. (Clean

immediately, if you can, with a first aid squeeze flush or soap and water.)


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199. All head injuries in childrenincluding bumpsshould warrant an immediatevisit to the emergency room. If the child becomes unconscious (even for a few seconds)

or doesnt get up, cover and call an ambulance immediately.

200. Puncture wounds always need to be seen by medical professionalsthe morequickly, the better. The risk of infection cannot be underestimatedparticularly if the

object was rusty or dirty.

201. If you have a baby in the house (or youre planning to babysit one), crawl aroundon your hands and knees and see from the childs level what tempting objects there

may be to pull or poke. Youll be amazed at how many potential hazards you discover!

202. Cover all electrical sockets with dummy plug covers, when you have smallchildren or babies coming to visit. Remove ornaments or any heavy object toddlers can

pull down on themselves.

203. If your child has a nosebleed, have her lean forward rather than backward. Giveher a cloth or napkin and tell her to gently pinch her nose shut.

204. If your childs nosebleed is the result of a fall, quickly seek emergency medicalhelp.

205. If a nosebleed persists or reoccurs after 10-20 minutes, seek emergency medicalhelp.

206.

If a nosebleed is accompanied by dizziness, faintness or was caused by any sortof bump to the head, seek emergency medical help.

207. Do not give aspirin to children who have a fever: They may run the risk ofcontracting a rare illness called Reyes Syndrome, which can be fatal! Ask your

pediatrician or druggist for a better alternative, such as Childrens Tylenol, that is not

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) based.

208. When you take a first aid course, dont stop there: If it is not included, learn CPR(cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

209. If you have to use CPR, do remember that adrenalin may make youunconsciously apply extra pressure. Remember to use less pressure on infants and

seniors.

210. If you are trained in CPR, do carry a resuscitation mask in your purse orbackpack, to help you guard yourself against bodily fluids that may contain infection.


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211. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your home.Travel Health

212. Check http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx to see the world destinationyou are planning to visit, to see what health hazards exist there, or if it is undergoingany sort of epidemic.

213. When travelling to hot or developing countries, eat only fruits that can be peeledand foods that have been cooked. Drink only drinks from cans, wine and sealed bottles,

and do not use ice cubes in your drinks. If you ignore these precautions, you run the risk

of travelers diarrhea.

214. When travelling to hot or developing countries, brush your teeth using bottledwaterand make sure the bottle is sealed.

215. People taking anti-acid prescriptions run a greater risk of developing travelersdiarrhea. The reason? Less stomach acid to protect them.

216. Travelersdiarrhea is not actually one particular bug, but can be caused by awide variety, including salmonella, rotavirus, E. coli, giardia and even the Norwalk virus.

217. If you are planning to travel to a destination more than 2,000 feet above sealevel, be aware that you can suffer from ultraviolet exposure in the thinner air, as well

as headaches, vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and an inability to sleep

early indicators of altitude sickness. Make sure you have adequate medical insurance incase you need to be flown home quickly.

218. It takes 3-5 days for your body to acclimatize to higher altitudes. Plan for this inyour trip and try to avoid flying directly to places that are more than 2,000 above sea

level.

219. One of the biggest causes or hepatitis abroad is the needles used in tattoos.220. Getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A is a routine precaution, when traveling to hot

or tropical climates. But if you are planning to be there for periods past one month, you

should also be vaccinated for Hepatitis B, too.

221. If you have become disabled but still want to travel, visit http://www.disabled-world.com for invaluable tips and information.


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232. There is no perfect diet that fits all. It is important to create a regime that suitsyour body type and genetics, your ability to exercise, your opportunity to exercise, your

food tolerances and allergiesand your likes and dislikes.

233. Dont think of dieting as deprivation:Think of it as creating a healthy newlifestyle that gives you incredible energy and well-being.

234. Carry a pocket daytimer and write down your carb count, protein count and fatcount for every item you eat. If you prefer, do this with a food journal instead and write

down types of foods and portion sizes. Review it once a week to alert yourself to

patterns you need to change.

235. Dieting and over-eating often both have to do with guilt. Find out whose voice ischurning out negative messages in your head, and talk back to them as if the person

stood in the room with you.

236. Carry healthy emergency snacks to help you resist temptation when out andabout. Keep them in your car, locker or office, as well as carrying a few in your purse.

Make sure they are of good qualityand dont forget to carry a bottle of water.

237. Make your own trail mix for emergency snacks, using lower fat, lower carbingredients in proportions more diet-friendly. Instead of high-fat nuts, use pumpkin

seeds.

238. Pork rinds are a great snack that satisfies the crunch instinct if you are on alow-carb diet. 14 grams of pork rinds contain 8 grams of protein, just 5 grams of fatand zero carbohydrates! But yestheres no getting around it: Pork rinds do consist of

deep-fried pig skin.

239. Crushed pork rinds make great no-carb breading for fried or baked chicken.240. Find someone to exercise with. You will both encourage and motivate each other

and it makes exercising much more fun if youve never been used to exercising.

241. Find an accountability partner. The key, however, is for it to be a truepartnershipa two-way team. Check in with each other at least once a week anddiscuss what youve had problems with in your weight loss campaign. Brainstorm

solutions together.

242. If you have problems with portion control, buy portion-controlled snacks in theirown individual packages. And if you are an after-dinner muncher, allow yourself one of


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these packs, instead of raiding the fridge or opening that family-sized bag of potato

chips.

243. Love popcorn? Buy an air-popper (and butter-flavored popcorn) to reduce fats.But do be aware that although one cup of air-popped popcorn contains only 30 calories

and 0 grams fat, it does give you almost 7 grams of carbs.

244. If you have trouble eating vegetables, include them as flavor ingredients instews, soups, casseroles or carb dishes like potatoes and rice.

245. Be aware that apples, pears, bananas and pithy fruits have significantly highercarb counts than berries or melon, which are mostly water.

246. If you are dieting for health reasons such as diabetes or hyperglycemia, be awarethat there is sugar in fresh fruits. (The least is in berries.)

247. If winter curtails your outdoor weight loss exercises, find creative alternates.Walk through the mall several times at a brisk pace (not stopping to browse); Invest in

an exercise DVD and try a home exercise routine; Take an activity-based classline

dancing, belly-dancing or ballroom dancing, for example. And join that gym!

248. Remember that a cool-down period is extra important, if you jog, power-walkoutdoors or cross-country ski in winter weather. Resist the urge to rip off your hat and

gloves. Slow down to a walk for ten minutes; then slow down even further for your final

ten minutes.

249. Get the whole family involved in winter sports. Go to the ski hill. Rentsnowshoes, if you dont like skiing. Make a snow fort and have a snowball war.

250. As winter exercise, shovel an elderly neighbors driveway (making sure you arefit enough to do so, minus any heart condition).

251. If you are dieting, make sure you get lots of restand take care of any sleepingdifficulties. Studies have proven that glucose stops metabolizing properly in the sleep-

deprived, creating irresistible cravings for carbohydrates.

Pregnancy and Post-Partum

252. Dont sweat the small stuff, while pregnant. Do only what is essential andfocus on alternately resting up and getting appropriate exerciseas well as lots of

sleep.


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253. It is normal to feel abnormally tired during the first part of pregnancy. Go withthe flow, and get as much rest as you can.

254. Do maintain exercise during pregnancy. A fifteen-minute walk a day is enough tomake a significant difference to your oxygenation, cellular health and well-beingand

that means that baby benefits, too.

255. Its absolutely true. You shouldnt change cat litter, if you are pregnant.Pregnant women risk contracting toxoplasmosis from contact with cat litter.

(Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can cause stillbirths, as well as physical or

neurological impairment, when transmitted from mother to unborn child.)

256. If you develop acne during pregnancy, avoid products containing Accutane,which can be extremely harmful to your unborn child.

257. Be sure to drink extra water during pregnancy! It will help keep your digestionfrom becoming sluggish, hydrate your babys developing cells, flush out toxins and cut

down on pregnancy acne.

258. If you suffer from morning sickness, beware of dehydration. Keep drinking smallsips of water or whatever fluid you can tolerate.

259. Morning sickness is largely caused by changes in hormones, blood sugar andvitamin B6. Make sure you consult your obstetrician about taking B6 supplementation.

Try plain crackers or fizzy soda (sipped).

260. Yes. Specific smells (and sometimes even colors and patterns) CAN trigger boutsof morning sickness.

261. If you suffer from pregnancy heartburn, combat this by eating small meals,eating slowly (and NEVER on the run), drinking your water and other beverages during

rather than with meals, and never lying down after eating.

262. Your bedtime habits can play a big part in pregnancy heartburn: Dont eat late atnight, and sleep with your head and shoulders raised, if you are having problems.

263. If you suffer from pregnancy heartburn, be proactive. Find out if specific foodstrigger attacks: Then avoid them. (Common pregnancy heartburn triggers include

caffeine, chocolate, fried foods, spicy foods and citrus fruits.)

264. Dont eat rare or raw meats while pregnant. You can contract toxoplasmosisfrom undercooked meat.


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275. It is a sad fact that babies born to mothers who smoke, or babies exposed tosecond-hand smoke, are at greater risk for unexplained crib death (SIDS), which most

often occurs during the first 1-12 months of life.

276. Dont put your baby on his or her stomach or side to sleep. Always, always layyour baby on his or her back.

277. To reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, dont give small babies pillowsorheavy blankets: Keep the temperature warm and comfortable and dress them in

sleepers if its coldoutside.

278. Stress can affect breast-milk production: However, this is usually a temporaryproblem. Drink lots of water. Try to remove the source of stressor remove yourself

from its influence.

279. If you have real trouble producing breast milk, dont give up. Instead, contact anursing coach (your obstetrician or doctor should be able to set this up or refer you to

one).

280. Be careful of products you put on your nipples if they are sore. These productscan sometimes irritate your baby, as well as your skin. (Cocoa butter is a big culprit!)

281. What you eat and drink affects your baby if you breast-feed, and can result inyour baby having colic or stomach upset. Make a note of what you ate, whenever your

breast-feeding baby is crankyyou might start to see common patterns that will help

you avoid trigger foods.

282. Tip: If you found certain foods caused violent nausea while you were pregnant,avoid them afterwards. You may be okaybut there is a chance your baby is the

intolerant one!

283. Check all materials in babys mattress, clothing, toys, pillows, curtains and thelike. There is a higher likelihood youll find these contain toxic PBDE fire retardants.

(Opt for plain cotton instead.)

Workplace Health

284. If you are an employer, start a wellness campaign at your workplace.Encourage employees with colds or bugs to stay home. If you cant afford to pay them

to do this, at least provide masks and encourage them to use them.

285. Put a bottle of hand sanitizer at every desk when flu season starts.


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286. Provide bottled water or a fountain for your employees. If you are an employee,bring water to work, if none is provided.

287. Start a wellness program at your company. Encourage your employer to providehealthier vending-machine snacks, bottled water, and exercise breaks.

288. One of the biggest causes of illness in the workplace is the changing times: Olderpeople with health conditions are forced to go on working long past retirement age,

most jobs no longer provide benefits allowing sick employees to stay home and many

employees cant afford to stay home when sick. Be aware of this, and do what you can

to help make sure you, your employees or fellow workers stay as well as possible.

289. Do your part in keeping workplace sickness down by getting your flu shots, if youhave a healthy immune system and you are not allergic to eggs. (Many vaccines contain

albumen, an egg product.)

290. Put everything back in its proper place the moment you are finished with tools,equipment or utensilseven if you are planning to use them again later.

291. Clean up spills promptly.292. According to the CDC, more construction workers die from falls than from any

other on-the-job injury. Do your part by refusing to hire any contractor (or employee)

who refuses to wear fall-arrest gear.

293.

Always use the right tools and safety equipment. Standing on a rickety chair toreach a light bulb is creating an accident begging to happen.

294. Its your right to refuse to work in dangerous conditions! And your life is worthmore than your job. Dont become a statistic: Tell your employer you will not perform a

dangerous task until the hazard has been removed.

295. Bring a positive attitude to work. Thats the best way to manage workplacestressand the best part is, its catching!

Pet Health

296. Avoid air fresheners (particularly sprays) if you have pet birds. The latter arehighly susceptible to chemicals and fumes.

297. Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Just as humans who dont exercisedevelop and suffer a myriad of health complaints such as obesity, poor digestion and


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depressionso do pets. Buy your cat lots of toys and provide a cat tree for climbing.

Take your dog for walks! And if you cant ride your horse, exercise it on a lunge line.

298. If you bring home new fish for your aquarium, dont release it into the tankimmediately: Instead, let it sit in its plastic bag in the water, until the water inside the

bag and outside have acclimatized to each other. (Youll reduce the risk of new fish

death.)

299. If you are really into fish, have a hospital tank. Make sure you maintain it atthe same temperature and with the same alkaline balance as your regular tank(s).

Remove any fish showing symptoms of disease to the hospital tank immediately.

300. Never, EVER put two Beta fish into the same fishbowl or tank. They are calledSiamese fighting fish for a reasonand will literally fight to the death!

301. Teach your children to wash their hands after handling pets or pet utensilsandno kissing the dog!

302. Realize that different breeds of dog are genetically pre-disposed towardsdifferent exercise needs and activities. And it is not related to size. (If you want an

apartment dog that needs minimal exercise, get a Great Pyrenees Mountain dog: If you

want a dog that will play with your hyperactive ten-year-old twins twenty-four hours a

day, get a Golden retriever.)

303. Consider keeping your cat indoors. If you do, you should never have to worryabout fleas or other parasites that outdoor cats regularly bring home. Youll never get

that knock on the door (Is that your cat lying dead in the middle of the road?) and

youll avoid abscesses and most injuries. (Just make sure you provide your cat with lots

of attention, toys and brushing.)

304. Overfeeding kills more pets than any other causeand this is true from everytype of pet from goldfish to dogs. Learn what your pets optimal food requirements are

and supply them.

305. Dont give pets table scraps. It can upset their stomachs, cause them to nip orjump on peopleand make them fat!

306. Spay or neuter your cat or dog. It is actually cruel not to do so; then deny themthe fulfillment of overwhelming reproductory urges. Not neutering is proven to create

aggression in male dogs; and there are already too many unwanted animals

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307. Take care of your pets teeth. If you have a cat or dog, provide them with hardkibble or dental treats. Brush their teeth, if theyll let you (start training them early!)

Massage gums with rubber finger-mitts (you can get these at quality pet stores). And if

you have a horse or pony, have the vet check their teeth at least a couple of times a

yearparticularly if they start to headtoss when ridden.

308. Never, NEVER feed sugar (or anything containing sugar) to horses: Not only will itrot their teeth; it will almost certainly cause them to nip and trample.

309. When treating your horse, always cut or break large treats such as apples orcarrots into smaller pieces, to prevent choking. And for your own safety, offer these in

your horses feed tub or on the flat of your hand, to avoid getting your fingers

accidentally nipped.

310. Always make sure your pet has an abundant supply of fresh water. If you have acat or dog, keep toilet lids down (particularly if you use any sort of toilet cleaning tablet)

and change any water contaminated with foodstuffs floating in it immediately.

311. A pet is not a toyeven if you did get it for the children. Learn about yourfamilys particular pet: Its needs, risks and habits. Think of your pet as an investment

in your familys health and enjoyment. You will get back far more than you give, if you

dont neglect orabuse your pet (or let your children do so either).

312. Think about your pet. A pet that is taken for granted or treated as a piece ofproperty is an abused pet.

Holiday Health

313. Make sufficient allowance for properly defrosting your Christmas turkey.Consult a guide, well in advance, when doing your holiday planning. (A 20 lb. bird can

take up to five days to thaw properly, if thawed in the refrigerator.)

314. Dont take on too much during the holiday season. Decide in advance what yourpriorities are going to beand learn to say no (even if youve never done this before).

315. Ask for help! If youre getting older and find putting on Holiday dinners harderthan ever, or youve developed a change in your health, finances or life circumstances;

dont drown in a quicksand of stress. Instead, let your nearest and dearest know what

they can do to help.


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316. If you need to ask for help with Holiday food preparations, be specific. Assigntasks. Give people a choice between A or B. (You will get a better response than if you

simply complain or speak in generalities.)

317. Take care of health problems! People tend to let things like blood tests or bloodpressure checks slide when they are stressing over holiday preparations or focusing on

holiday fun. But make sure you are well enough to enjoy the holidays by not ignoring

health conditions or obligations.

318. Fireproof your home. Extinguish candles if you are leaving a room. Dont putflammable presents near heat sources. Have the chimney swept, if you only use your

fireplace once a year. And create a fire emergency plan for your family. (Practice it at

least twice!)

319. Keep an extra eye on children. Holiday excitement and new objects can exposethem to riskparticularly if there are other children present.

320. Never let anyone go boating, driving or use any other type of vehicle if they havebeen drinking.

321. Dont drink and drive. Even on a horse (or reindeer).322. Wash your hands in between handling different types of foods. Do this for at

least 20 seconds, and be thorough.

323.

Avoid cross-contamination when preparing large amounts and varieties of foods.Wash cutting boards and utensils in between handling different food types. Keep a

separate cutting board for fruits and vegetables, and a separate one for meats or fish

and never, EVER cut raw produce like carrot and celery sticks with the same knife you

used on the turkey!

324. You run more risk of contracting food poisoning from pre-stuffed birds thanwhen you make and add the stuffing yourself.

325. Rinse out your holiday bird and salt the cavity well before stuffing. (The salt willhelp kill bacteria and shouldnt raise anyones blood pressure.)

326. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your Holiday bird is cooked to the correctminimum temperature.

327. Consider elderly relatives with potential tooth or digestive challenges, and makesure your dinner has soft, plain food items, as well as crunchy veggie sticks and spicy

dips.


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328. Put leftovers away as promptly as possible, to avoid food poisoning.329. Have standard stomach remedies on hand for mild stomach complaints such as

over-eating or indigestion.

330. Dont assume that any sort of chest pain during the holidays is indigestion especially if the sufferer is elderly. Instead, have it checked out at the hospital

emergency department. (Not funbut better to be safe than sorry!)

331. Check your house for fire hazards such as objects moved near heat sources, litcandles (or even unattended cigarettes) before turning in for the night after a Holiday

party.

Miscellaneous

332.

Cracking your knuckles or other joints does not cause arthritis, according to anApril, 2011 article detailing a study in the Journal of the American Board of Family

Medicine.

333. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is a big fan of tea-drinking. Theyhave produced over a dozen articles detailing the benefits of tea from improving your

mood to assisting in weight loss.

334. Drinking green tea can help lower blood pressure in certain groups ofhypertensive peoplebut drinking too much can raise it again.

335. Repetitive grooming behavior can fall under the umbrella of mental illness, ifcarried to excess. Excessive pimple-squeezing is called dermatillomania. Chronic hair

pulling is known as trichotillomania. Chronic, compulsive nail-biting is called

onychophagia. Seeing a psychologist who specializes in behavioral therapy can help

you stop these behaviors, which are often more shaming or embarrassing than harmful.

336. Dehydration is the biggest problem for those suffering from stomach bugs,vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolyte replacement through fluid intake is vital.

337. Dont give fruit juices, sodas, broths or even Jell-O to people suffering fromstomach viruses involving diarrhea. The sugar content increases diarrhea. Use Gatorade;

and for younger children, drugstore freezer popsicles.

338. Ringworm is a fungus that can spread from animals to people.339. Pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes.


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340. Eliminating your triggers is far more important in quitting smoking than finding asmoking substitute such as a nicotine patch, or nicotine gum.

341. Walking as soon as you can after surgery is a good idea because lying in bedleads to risks such as pneumonia, digestive trouble (including severe gas pains), blood

clots and bed sores.

342. If you suffer from constipation, drink more water!343. Toenails grow almost 4 times more slowly than fingernails.344. The small intestine is larger than the large intestine.345. Its a myth that it is perfectly hygienic for a dog to lick its owner on the mouth.

Dogs can transmit worms, parasites, norovirus and rotavirus.

346. Sneezes travel faster than coughs. Sneezes explode out of the average person at100 mph, whereas coughs only manage to get up to 60 mph.

347. The human bladder can hold up to 2 cups of water before pressure to voidbecomes urgent.

348. Feet can produce 2 cups of sweat daily. And its true: Mens feet do producemore foot-sweat than women.

349. Eating two sweet potatoes a week will help prevent mole-based skin cancer,according to menshealth.com.

350. People have bad dreams in cold rooms more than in warm ones, say thescientists. The truth, however, is that any extreme of temperature is likely to cause bad

dreams as your brain attempts to warn you about conditions.

351. Right-handed people tend to live longer than left-handed people. There is noscientific basis for this, however: Blame instead the fact that 90% of all tools, doors,

vehicles and so forth are made for right-handers, making it more challenging for

southpaws to operate things safely.

352. There are so many scent allergies nowadays you may wish to switch tounscented personal care products to do your bit for your neighbor. (Keep the scents for

your home or visit an aromatherapist!)

353. Should you panic about growth hormones in milk? No. When you drink milk,these are broken down instantly by the digestive process and there is no risk to humans.


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354. According to a Scottish study, more people die of heart attacks on Monday thanon any other weekday. And according to many hospital nurses, patients tend to die

more at six o clock in the morning than at any other time.

355. Not sleeping can affect your sanity and your healthand indirectly beresponsible for death. Cortisol levels and blood pressure rise, body temperatures drop,

the immune system is suppressed and after 24-36 hours, people begin to suffer

confusion and even hallucinations.

356. The higher your IQ, the more you dream, according to several studies: However,most of us cant remember our dreams, so there are many people with a high IQ who

will never be able to prove this to themselves.

357. Human brain tissue is impervious to painbut there are plenty of nerves andcapillaries that can swell or become irritated and give you a ferocious headache.

358. Anti-bacterial soaps contain Triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent currently underreview by the FDA. There is no proven benefit for using anti-bacterial soaps over the

traditional soap-and-water, it alters hormone regulation in rats; plus there are fears that

over-use of Triclosan may lead to the development of anti-bacterial resistant fungus and

bacteria.

359. We all know about A and B blood types and combinations, as well as O typebloodthe most common in the world. However, there is a group of less than 100

people who also has A-H type blood.

360. The protein in milk consists of whey and casein. Muscle-building supplementsare made from itand they work.

361. Most Inuit people eat mostly meats and fatand yet are one of the healthiestgroups of people on the planet (cancer is virtually unknown). Their traditional seal and

whale-based diet is high in selenium, omega 3 oils and vitamins A, D and Eand

contains no sugar and barely any carbohydrates.

362. Ever complain that men have thicker hair than women? It may be true! Menshairs average twice the thickness of womens hairs.

363. Buy fresh fruits and produce that is loose and not packaged. The latter haveoften been improperly or unsafely preparedand they have been sitting in plastic.

(This is especially true of pre-washed fruits or vegetables: Always re-wash them

yourself anyway.)


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364. Cut down on stress by eliminating any unnecessary negatives from your lifeand that includes negative people.

365. All plastics are not created equal. Dont purchase hard plastic items marked withthe Numbers 7 or 3; or stamped with PC or PVC. Scientists are just beginning to

discover that plastics are not as harmless as previously thought!

366. Stainless steel and cast iron cookware are the safest types to useparticularlywhen heating foods at higher levels. Avoid Teflon cookware (especially if you like to

cook with high heats): You can subject your family and pets to toxins and Teflon flu, if

your cookware becomes too hot.

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365 Health Tips - Learn Quick-n-Easy Health Tips for Everyday of the Year