The Well Tended Home

1. Drink plenty of water.  I put this one first because it's much more important than many people think. Since our bodies are made up mostly of water we need to drink plenty of it in order for our bodies to function at their best. A good rule to follow is to divide your weight in half and drink at least that much in ounces per day. Always start with a fresh glass of water upon waking and spread the remainder throughout the day.

2. Add more fresh foods to your diet.  Start by adding more vegetables to all of your meals. Try and include at least 50% vegetables with each meal. Grab a piece of fruit for a snack instead of cookies, candies, and cakes. Cut out as much white flour and sugar as possible from your diet and replace them with fresh fruit, veg, and whole grains. Try and buy fresh organic and locally grown produce as much as possible.

3. Exercise.  Since this is probably the hardest area to maintain you really need to start out small. Start by walking, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Grab a friend to make the time more enjoyable. A treadmill is great for those bad weather days when you can't get outside so, there will be no excuses. Before you know it you might be walking a few miles a day and feeling great.

4. Get Plenty of Rest.  It's very important that our bodies get the rest they need. As you get older you may find that you can function on much less sleep than when you were younger. Six hours may be enough for some while others may need a full eight. Either way a good night's rest is very important so try and get to bed a little earlier each night. The more sleep you get before midnight the more rested you should feel. Having the right bedding is also important. If you're getting plenty of sleep but still waking up with headaches and feeling tired it might be time for some new pillows or a new mattress.

5. Get Fresh Air & Sunshine. Getting outside for a little bit each day can do wonders for you.  Our homes are breeding grounds for all sorts of stuff which we breathe every day. This can be very unhealthy. Step outside for at least a few minutes a couple of times each day to get fresh air and sunshine. The sun provides some essential vitamins that our bodies need. Get a good air cleaner for your home so you can breathe fresher air while indoors. Breathing cleaner air while you sleep may also help you wake up feeling rested.

A few years back I had gone to the doctor for my regular checkup and my tests revealed a very low vitamin D level. This was surely part of the reason I was dragging most days. Getting your daily dose of sunshine has some important health benefits. With all the cold and rainy days, we've had lately when the sun shines it's time to get outside. Getting a little sun each day is important for a healthy immune system.

 Sunlight for a few minutes each day can help boost the body's vitamin D which can help strengthen your immune system. Many people don't get enough vitamin D, especially during the winter. It can also help boost a chemical in the brain called serotonin which is helpful for energy and better mood. Melatonin boost is another benefit that we might get from the sun. It helps you sleep better with melatonin and we all can use a good night's sleep. So be sure and get your daily dose of sun and don't forget the sunscreen.