Spring on the prairies is a time for shedding winter clothes, opening windows and feeling the warm sun. It's also a time for getting your car tuned up and ready for summer travels. But just think, do you take better care of your car than you do of your body? Here are some tips for making sure your body runs like a race car and not a clunker.
Give your body regular tune-ups. Regular physical activity strengthens your heart and lungs, lubricates joints, reduces stress and helps you feel great! Try to do some type of physical activity most days of the week. Options include walking, gardening, aerobics, yoga, dancing, running, golfing or any activity you enjoy. You can do 30 minutes at one time or break it into smaller chunks of time. As long as you are doing the activity with moderate or vigorous effort for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Fill your body with "high octane" fuel. Your may feel like you are "running on fumes" if you fill your body with foods low in nutritional value such as chips, soft drinks and chocolate bars. To feel full of energy throughout the day, choose more whole grain breads, cereal, pasta and rice, lots of vegetables and fruit, lower fat meat and meat alternatives such as beans and lentils, lower fat milk products and alternatives. Eating a meal or snack very 3-5 hours will keep your "tank" full and your energy level high all day long.
Drink fluids to prevent your engine from overheating. Most people need to about 6 to 8 glasses, or 1.5 to 2 litres, of fluid each day. Water, milk juice, soup and some watery vegetables and fruit all count towards this goal. If you are involved in an intense sport or activity that makes you sweat, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day not just during the activity.
Get enough sleep to recharge your battery. If you need an alarm clock to get up, that may mean you are not getting enough sleep. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Waking up recharged and refreshed can help you deal with stress and give you a better outlook on the day.
If your car breaks down, you can choose to get it fixed or trade it in for a new model. However, you only get one body and when your body breaks down, it is much more difficult to repair the damage. Invest in health "maintenance" now and keep your body running in top-notch condition for many years to come.
Written by the Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan and supported by Public Health, Sunrise Health Region.
If you have any comments or questions please contact: Heather Torrie, Public Health Nutritionist, Sunrise Health Region, 150 Independent Street, Yorkton, Sask. S3N 0S7 or phone: 786-0600.
