Posted Feb 27 2012, 12:01 am
Woman are known to be more logical than men. Not braggin’ here, but it’s a fact that women have a larger logic center than men. (Sorry guys!) So if us gal-pals are so logical, why do we make such dumb choices when it comes to our health?
Dumb choice number one: using tanning beds. I know it feels like winter lasts forever, but tanning beds? Seriously? The World Health Organization has determined tanning beds have the same cancer risk as smoking cigarettes and ingesting arsenic. Why then, if the carcinogenic jeopardy is so great, do women keep the neighborhood tanning salons in business? Simple. Endorphins. Tanning is an addictive habit same as drugs or alcohol. Best advice? Go cold turkey. It’ll be hard in the short term, but worth the withdrawals in the long run. And if you’re still dying for a little color on your arms and face, get outside–with plenty of sunscreen slathered on. Oh, and take a Vitamin D supplement.
Dumb choice number two: depending on caffeine for an energy boost. Are you downing a six-pack of Diet Coke every day while trying to stick to a pretty restrictive diet? Well, drinking caffeined, diet drinks ain’t the way to go. If you’re dieting, the best choice of drinks is WATER. Boring? Maybe. But H2O is truly your best bet to keep your body hydrated. And if you’re hydrated, you won’t feel so hungry. Just saying… And caffeine will DE-hydrate you, making your feel hungry when you’re really not. Just saying again…Then there’s the whole new connection between diet sodas and the increased risk of heart attack and stroke…Okay, I’ll shut up now.
Dumb choice number three: drinking too much alcohol. Okay, this is something I struggle with on a personally level. But drinking more than one alcoholic drink a day, whether it be wine, beer or hard liquor, is setting you up for some serious long-term problems like liver irritation and cancer.
Dumb choice number four: not taking care of yourself. This is actually a multi-leveled problem. First, just because you’re *busy* doesn’t mean you’re active. You might feel exhausted at the end of the day, but did you really exercise? I know making the time to work-out is tough, tough, tough, yet there are sneaky ways to build exercise into your busy schedule. Things like taking the stairs (repeatedly) instead of the elevator, parking in East Egypt and walking to your destination and even making it a point to stand ten to fifteen minutes every hour. Just standing verses sitting burns more calories and forces your body to work harder to keep itself erect.
The second part of *not talking care of yourself* involves getting enough rest. With trying to balance everything we do each day–kids, work, husbands, groceries, cooking, yada, yada, yada–it is any wonder we suffer from insomnia? Part of this reason might be because women tend to hold in stress and anger, which can lead to sleepless nights and overeating. One of the best cures is, drum roll please, girlfriends. Yup. Being able to talk with other women about problems we all experience can make us feel less alone and less weird. No doubt our guys love us to pieces, but do they really, and I mean really understand us? Make time for girl talk with your fave gal-pal—while going for a brisk evening walk. J
I’ll post Part Two in a couple of weeks. What are some of your habits that you KNOW are unhealthy? Please share. Or you can email me, Lynda@lyndabailey.net. Three people will be selected to receive a free PDF copy of my soon-to-be released contemporary romance, Battle Born Love, featured on the right-hand side of this page.
Have a great day and stay healthy!
L.
22 Comments
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Great post. I like the ideas in it. I suffer from terrible insomnia and sometimes wonder how long before I have a complete breakdown from lack of sleep. Talking with girlfriends does seem to help. I meet with my critique group every two weeks and invariably that night I sleep much better, much longer than I have on the previous nights. Just the good thoughts and feelings I have from the meeting stay with me for a couple of days/nights and I get more sleep.
Thanks for the great post.
Cynthia~
Glad you found the info helpful. Gal-pals are the best, aren’t they? Maybe try and hook up more with them than once every two weeks, for lunch or coffee or just to chat. Might help you sleep better.
Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations on your new release!!
Don’t get me started on tanning beds, either. My husband treats cancer patients.
I am definitely addicted to Coke Zero. And my exercise “routine” is anything but. So there are two good things to work on in March, as the daylight increases, which will make me feel more peppy anyway.
No worries on the alcohol, one little drink puts me to sleep. 🙂
Gillian~
I personally never understood the allure of tanning beds, maybe because I’m not super, super white-skinned. Still, the benefits just don’t outweight the risks, IMO.
Drinking is the one thing I have the biggest issue with. Gotta have my wine!! I tell myself if it’s my only vice, that ain’t so bad. If only wishing made it so… 🙂
Thanks for popping in, sista!
Great post! Things we should all remember. And congrats on the new release:)
Hugs-
Thanks Jennifer!
I sooo appreciate all your love and support.
Hugs back!
Hello darling Lynda!
First, it was a super-treat talking to you this weekend. Second, what a great post. Kind of a ‘thanks, I needed that’ baby slap in the face. Everything you said here I know. Do I do them? Hah! I’ve been really lax on getting to the gym. I’m a terrible night owl and never get enough sleep (a vice since I was born according to my mother) and I don’t drink enough water. Fortunately, I don’t drink a ton of soda either and I don’t “do” caffeine. Guess I get one point for that 🙂 Question: what about mineral water? I’ve read pros and cons for that — but that’s my drink of choice — I even have one of those Sodastream thingies so I can carbonate my own water. I’m hoping that’s an acceptable substitute – lol! Thanks for the reminder, roomie. Big hugs!!
Loved chatting with you, too, Lizzie!
And remember, taking care of yourself does NOT mean killing yourself. Deal with your foot prob and then take it nice and slow on the recovery side. Tough? Ya, but you gotta do it.
Big hugs back, roomie!
Lizzie!
Just realized I never answered your question about mineral water. Duh!
I bought my DH a SodaStream for Christmas, 2012. He loves it! It’s waaaay cheaper and much better for the enviroment coz you’re not going through a ton of plastic bottles. Added plus, you use nuthin’ but good, ole tap water. (And yes, we still have the safest tap water in the world!) Bubble yourself away, roomie!
Whew! I love my sparkly water! Thanks my dear!
Hi Lynda!
When I was growing up both my parents were addicted to coffee. It taught me early on to avoid the siren call of caffeine. Not that I don’t love a good regular Coke every so often…but the often is a lot less frequent these days. Great advice (even the heard to follow bits like circumspect boozing and parking in East Egypt!). I’ve been cleaning up my act these last 5 months and I’m definitely sleeping, looking and feeling better because of it!
Great job, Keely! Keep up the good work. Remember, these aren’t temporary changes, but lifestyle changes. Slow and steady wins the healthy race!
Thanks for stopping by!
Not all can be considered dumb choices, but rather misinformation. We are inundated with advice, but just have to find what works. Plus our careers can suggest certain behaviors. Learn something new everyday and you are good to go…for now.
Very true, Peggy! If we all make a promise to learn something new each day, our lives – and the world – would be benefit.
Thanks for popping in!
Tanning beds are addictive? Who would’ve thunk it?
I used to luv, luv, luv getting tan the natural way, but after two minor skin cancers….
Great post!
–Ramona
Thanks Ramona!
Ya, I was surprised tanning is considered addictive too. Slather on that sunscreen, girlie! No more skin cancer for you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yery true. I never used a tanning bed – and limit my time ins the sun (I burn instead of tan). Our bodies need sleeep to rejuvenate. Touch is heaing, as well. There was a study done once, by some screwed up scientists back when men could do bad studies. They proved that babies needed physical touch. Without hands on care, the infants didn’t do well at all. Luckily, THAT study dodn’t og on very long….
Diane~
Why is it most of the *bad* ideas come from men? (Apologies to all the guys out there.) But to actually deny infants the comfort of touch is just plain sick, IMO. grrrr.
Anyway, thanks for popping by!
Always good advice from you, girlfriend. I am constantly expanding my network of family, friends, extended family & especially girlfriends. And remember–pay it forward.
BIG hugs to you, girlfriend!
–Suzanne/Erika
Absolutely, Suzanne!
Pay it forward should be everyone’s motto. Gosh, how many world problems would be solved then? Hmmmm.
Thanks for your continued support. Love ya!
Lynda,
It’s amazing that the same women addicted to tanning are the first in line for the Botox and other expensive skin treatments. That’s always amazed me. Don’t they see the connection between tanning and looking older than their years?
I try to limit myself to one cup of coffee in the morning and a couple sodas throughout the week, but, I too, am a big water drinker. So far, so good with part 1. I’m not sure how I’ll fare with your part 2 though. 🙂
Thanks for a helpful post.
Hi Lynda,
Great post!
I’ll be honest… I have a lot of vices. I rarely drink, and I limit my coffee intake a cup a day. I’m not a tanner, since I burn like my mother’s biscuits. However, my exercise routine is limited to the walking at work and the trek I make to my car. And sleep… What’s that? I only have time to write at night, so, if I’m on a roll, I’ll write until 1 AM and get up at 5:30 or 6:00 to go to work.
Not a wonder I’m tired. 🙂