The IDEA Publishing
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt
the_health_idea
The Health IDEA

The Health IDEA

Your Best Source for the Latest Health and Wellness Info for Better Living!

5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health

12/23/2019

Comments

 
Picture

If you worry that you or someone you love will get heart disease or even have a heart attack, it’s understandable. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. However, research shows you can lower your risk, particularly if you team up with family, friends or co-workers. Consider these five tips that can help lower your risk of heart disease.


5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health

(Family Features) If you worry that you or someone you love will get heart disease or even have a heart attack, it’s understandable.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Research shows you can lower your risk, particularly if you team up with family, friends or co-workers. This kind of social support may be the key to your success.

To mark American Heart Month, NHLBI, one of the National Institutes of Health, is inviting people across the country to team up and join #OurHearts, a national heart health initiative that encourages people to improve heart health together.

“Studies show that having positive, close relationships and feeling connected to others benefits overall health, blood pressure, weight and more,” said NHLBI’s Dr. David Goff, director of cardiovascular sciences.

Consider these five tips that can help lower your risk of heart disease:

Risk: Inactivity
Solution: Move more throughout your day. Aim for at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity. Build up to activity that gets your heart beating faster and leaves you a little breathless. If you’re busy, try breaking your daily activity into 10-minute chunks.
Stay motivated: Make walking dates. Join a pickup soccer or basketball game. Join a fitness class with your neighbor. Grab a loved one and dance in your kitchen.

Risk: An unhealthy diet
Solution: Consider an option like NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is free and scientifically proven to lower high blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.
Stay motivated: Invite friends to cook up heart healthy recipes together. Start a lunch club at work and trade recipe ideas.

Risk: Smoking, even occasionally
Solution: Quitting can be beneficial to your overall health, even if you’ve smoked for years. Set a quit date and let those close to you know. If you’ve tried quitting in the past, consider what helped and what made it harder.
Stay motivated: Ask your family and friends for support or join a support group. Find resources and connect with a trained counselor at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or smokefree.gov.

Risk: Inadequate or poor-quality sleep
Solution: Sleeping 7-8 hours each night helps improve heart health. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Getting a 30-minute daily dose of sunlight may also improve sleep.
Stay motivated: Resist that late afternoon nap. Turn off all screens at a set time nightly. Relax by listening to music, reading or taking a bath.

Risk: Uncontrolled stress
Solution: To help manage stress, try relaxation therapy and increase physical activity. Talk to a qualified mental health provider or someone you trust. De-stressing may also help improve sleep.
Stay motivated: Join a friend or family member in a relaxing activity like walking, yoga or meditation every day.

Learn about heart health and heart healthy activities in your community at nhlbi.nih.gov/ourhearts. Use #OurHearts on social media to share how you and your friends, colleagues or family members are being heart healthy together.

 

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

KEYWORDS

  • activity ×
  • advice ×
  • aerobic exercise ×
  • anxiety ×
  • blood pressure ×
  • cardiac ×
  • cardiac health ×
  • cardio ×
  • cardiologist ×
  • cardiology ×
  • death ×
  • deaths ×
  • diet ×
  • diets ×
  • eating well ×
  • exercise ×
  • Family Features ×
  • hacks ×
  • heart ×
  • heart attack ×
  • heart beat ×
  • heart disease ×
  • heart health ×
  • heart rate ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • living well ×
  • men's health ×
  • mortality ×
  • mortality rate ×
  • motivation ×
  • prevention ×
  • risk ×
  • risk factors ×
  • risks ×
  • sleep ×
  • sleep deprivation ×
  • sleeping ×
  • sleep loss ×
  • smoking ×
  • smoking cessation ×
  • stress ×
  • stroke ×
  • strokes ×
  • tips ×
  • wellness ×
  • women's health

RSS Feed

Comments

Don't Let Stroke Strike Twice

5/6/2019

Comments

 

Not all strokes can be prevented, but making healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight and treating conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure can help reduce your risk of another one. Consider following these tips to achieve ideal health.


Don't Let Stroke Strike Twice

(Family Features) Not all strokes can be prevented, but making healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight and treating conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure can help reduce your risk of another one.

While there are about 7.2 million stroke survivors in the United States, people who have had a stroke are at high risk of having another one. In fact, about one in every four stroke survivors will have a second one.

Efforts like Together to End Stroke, an American Stroke Association initiative, nationally sponsored by Bayer Aspirin, work to educate stroke survivors and caregivers about how they can avoid a second occurrence.

Because the consequences of a second stroke can be more detrimental than the first, it’s important to recognize the signs, which come on suddenly, and act quickly. An easy way to remember the most common warning signs is the acronym F.A.S.T., (F – face drooping, A – arm weakness, S – speech difficulty, T – time to call 911).

Talk to your doctor about medications that may help you with your stroke prevention efforts. For example, taking aspirin regularly or other blood clot prevention medications can help reduce the risk of another ischemic stroke.

Consider following the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s “Life's Simple 7” to achieve ideal health:

Don't smoke. Smoking puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and add years to your life. You’re more likely to quit for good if you prepare for your last cigarette and the cravings, urges and feelings that come with quitting.

Be physically active. A good starting goal is at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, but if you don’t want to sweat the numbers, just move more. Find forms of physical activity you like and will stick with and build more opportunities to be active into your routine.

Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating starts with simple, healthy food choices. You don’t need to stop eating your favorite meals, just use substitutions to make them healthier. Learn what to look for at the grocery store, restaurants, your workplace and other eating occasions so you can confidently make healthy, delicious choices whenever and wherever you eat.

Maintain a healthy weight. The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight go beyond improved energy and smaller clothing sizes. By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you can also reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. There’s no trick to losing weight and keeping it off, but the majority of successful people modify their eating habits and increase physical activity.

Control cholesterol. Having large amounts of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, in the blood can cause build up and blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Reducing your fat intake, especially trans fats, often found in fried foods and baked goods, can help reduce your cholesterol. Adding more foods with omega-3 fatty acids like fish and nuts, as well as soluble fiber and whey protein, helps in managing cholesterol.

Manage blood pressure. Nothing causes more strokes than uncontrolled high blood pressure. Of the 116.4 million people in the United States who have high blood pressure, fewer than half have it under control, putting them at increased risk of stroke. Lowering your blood pressure by 20 points could cut your risk of dying from stroke by half.

Control blood sugar. By managing your diabetes and working with your health care team, you may reduce your risk of stroke. Every two minutes, an adult with diabetes in the United States is hospitalized for stroke. At age 60, someone with type 2 diabetes and a history of stroke may have a life expectancy that is 12 years shorter than someone without both conditions.

For more information on how to prevent stroke, and a complete list of warning signs, visit strokeassociation.org/americanstrokemonth.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
American Stroke Association


KEYWORDS

  • 911 ×
  • activity ×
  • advice ×
  • aerobic exercise ×
  • age ×
  • aging ×
  • American Heart Association ×
  • American Stroke Association ×
  • aspirin ×
  • blood ×
  • blood clot ×
  • blood clots ×
  • blood sugar ×
  • cardiac ×
  • cardiac health ×
  • cardio ×
  • cardiologist ×
  • cardiology ×
  • cholesterol ×
  • cigarette ×
  • diabetes ×
  • diet ×
  • diets ×
  • doctor ×
  • doctors ×
  • eating well ×
  • exercise ×
  • Family Features ×
  • fiber ×
  • habits ×
  • hacks ×
  • healthy eating ×
  • healthy living ×
  • heart ×
  • heart attack ×
  • heart disease ×
  • high cholesterol ×
  • life expectancy ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • lifestyle ×
  • living well ×
  • omega-3 ×
  • physician ×
  • physicians ×
  • prevention ×
  • protein ×
  • pulmonary ×
  • pulmonology ×
  • routine ×
  • routine physical ×
  • smoking ×
  • sugar ×
  • symptomology ×
  • tips ×
  • vitamin ×
  • vitamins ×
  • warning signs ×
  • weight ×
  • weight gain ×
  • weight loss ×
  • wellness

RSS Feed

Comments

10 Steps to Help Prevent Cancer

6/25/2018

Comments

 

Nearly 4 out of 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and it remains the second-leading cause of death for Americans, but nearly half of all cancer cases can be prevented. Research shows that diet, exercise and weight play a critical role in cancer prevention. To live a cancer-preventive lifestyle, consider taking these 10 steps.


10 Steps to Help Prevent Cancer

(Family Features) Nearly 4 out of 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and it remains the second-leading cause of death for Americans, but nearly half of all cancer cases can be prevented.

Research from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) shows that diet, exercise and weight play a critical role in cancer prevention.

“Making changes in what you eat, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight have strong and clear links to your risk for cancer,” said Alice Bender, MS, RDN and director of nutrition programs at AICR. “We know from decades of research and a thorough review of the science that there are simple things we can all do to reduce our risk.”

To live a cancer-preventive lifestyle, consider taking these 10 steps recommended by the scientific experts at AICR:

  1. Be a healthy weight. Higher body fat can be a cause of many cancers. Try to stay at a healthy weight and avoid weight gain as you get older.
  2. Be physically active. Incorporate moderate physical activity into your daily life through steps like walking more and sitting less.
  3. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. Make these foods a major part of your diet.
  4. Limit consumption of “fast foods” and other processed foods high in fat, starches or sugars. Cut down on processed foods to help control calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.
  5. Limit consumption of red and processed meat. Eat no more than three portions of red meat per week, and little – if any – processed meat.
  6. Limit consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks. Don’t drink sugar-sweetened drinks, which contribute to weight gain. Choose water instead, when possible.
  7. Limit alcohol consumption. For preventing cancer, it’s best not to drink alcohol.
  8. Do not use supplements for cancer prevention. Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.
  9. For mothers, breastfeed your baby, if you can. Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby.
  10. After a cancer diagnosis, follow these recommendations, if you can. Cancer survivors are encouraged to continue following these guidelines.

Refraining from smoking, avoiding other exposure to tobacco and limiting sun exposure are also important in reducing cancer risk.

Because it can be hard to make lifestyle changes, AICR aims to help people adopt healthier behaviors through efforts like the Cancer Health Check, a tool that shows people how their lifestyle stacks up against known cancer risks and recommends changes that can improve health.

For recipes, tips and other resources, visit aicr.org.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
American Institute for Cancer Research

KEYWORDS

  • activity ×
  • advice ×
  • alcohol ×
  • cancer ×
  • diet ×
  • exercise ×
  • Family Features ×
  • food ×
  • genes ×
  • health ×
  • healthy eating ×
  • healthy living ×
  • lifestyle ×
  • mortality ×
  • prevention ×
  • risk ×
  • risk factors ×
  • supplements ×
  • symptomology ×
  • symptoms ×
  • tips ×
  • weight

Comments

3 activities to help you move safely after knee surgery

8/18/2017

 
woman-mountain-biking
Get out there and get going! Good advice for better knee surgery recovery!

(BPT) - Most patients undergoing knee surgery want to know when they’ll be able to return to a pain-free, active lifestyle and do the things they once enjoyed before knee pain took over. For 58-year-old Kathleen Cohan, this meant a desire to return to mountain biking, hiking and skiing — activities she had always loved to do as a youth and continued to enjoy with her husband in their hometown of Golden, Colorado.

Cohan recently participated in a clinical trial to treat persistent knee pain caused by a meniscus tear. After receiving the NUsurface Meniscus Implant — the first “artificial meniscus” — she completed a six-week rehabilitation program and was ready to return to doing the things she loved.

“The NUsurface Meniscus Implant changed my life. It feels great to not have to worry before I choose an activity about how much pain I’ll be in afterward,” Cohan says. “My husband and I recently went on a 100-mile mountain bike trip, and I climbed a 14,000-foot peak last month and my knee didn’t bother me at all. The implant gave me a chance to extend my activity level as long as I possibly can.”

Three months after surgery, most patients have completely recovered and are able to return to many activities that were too painful or difficult previously. Once you’ve been cleared by your doctor, the safest way to restart activity after meniscus surgery is to find activities that avoid placing unnecessary stress on your knee joint. Here are three activities to help you move safely after knee surgery:

1. Walk (don’t run!). Experts say walking outside your home three to five times each day is one of the best ways to regain your knee strength. While you may need to adjust the length of your step and speed, you will be able to spend more time walking for exercise once your muscle strength improves.
2. Dance. While you should avoid high-impact moves like jumping or lifts, ballroom dancing and gentle modern dancing are great ways to use leg muscles, engage in aerobic activity and have fun! Just be sure to avoid abrupt movements or twists that could potentially put your knee out of alignment.
3. Swim. Once the wound has healed, many people choose swimming as their exercise of choice as it’s not a weight-bearing activity and therefore reduces stress to the joints. If your knee is still a bit tender, opt for water aerobics or pool walking.
Want to mix it up? You can feel safe doing many other recommended activities such as yoga, golf, boating, aerobics or rowing. If you have experience prior to your surgery doing more intense activities, like Cohan, your doctor may give you the go-ahead to resume cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and doubles tennis. Whichever activity you choose, remember that rushing into activities before you’ve recovered sufficiently may put you at risk for complications, so be sure to check with your doctor first before resuming any activity after meniscus surgery.

To be eligible for the NUsurface Meniscus Implant clinical studies, you must be between the ages of 30 and 75, and have pain after medial (the inside of the knee) meniscus surgery at least six months ago. To find a study site near you, visit www.activeimplants.com/kneepaintrial.
​

KEYWORDS

  • Brandpoint Content×
  • BPT×
  • recovery×
  • knee×
  • knees×
  • replacement×
  • joint health×
  • joints×
  • therapies×
  • therapy×
  • physical therapy×
  • exercise×
  • aerobic exercise×
  • strength×
  • training×
  • aging×
  • seniors×
  • activity×
  • surgery×
  • post-surgery×
  • rehab×
  • rehabilitation

Swamped this summer? 7 tips to keep your family healthy

6/15/2016

Comments

 

Enjoying the summer is about balance and planning. These tips will help your family stay happy, healthy and ready to tackle anything the summer months throw your way.


Picture


(BPT) - The sunny days of summer are here and school may be out, but your family is still as active and busy as ever. It's easy to get caught up in a hectic schedule of activities, but don't let the summer hustle keep you from a healthy lifestyle. Enjoying the summer is about balance and planning. These tips will help your family stay happy, healthy and ready to tackle anything the summer months throw your way.

1. Fuel up with breakfast

Set the tone for the rest of your day with a good-for-you breakfast. A complete breakfast gives you and your family the energy needed to take on the busy summer schedule. There are plenty of easy breakfast recipes that let you eat while you're running out the door. Try peanut butter or avocado on toast, hard boiled eggs or a fruit smoothie for a quick, satisfying meal.

2. Set a summer schedule


Create a master calendar to hang up in your kitchen. This should include everyone's daily activities for the summer so nothing is forgotten. Take a look at the calendar at the beginning of each week to get a sense of what's to come.

3. Remain active


Encourage your kids to get outside by planning a weekly outdoor activity as a family. From hiking, biking, a game of tag, skating and swimming, find something your family loves doing together. You can also get some extra steps in by taking an after-dinner walk around the block each night.

4. Snack healthy


Kids love to snack, especially when they're home for the summer. Stock up on easy go-to snacks like Snack Factory(R) Pretzel Crisps(R), fresh fruit, and granola bars so you'll be ready when their stomachs start to growl. Pretzel Crisps dipped in peanut butter or hummus create a filling, wholesome snack. They're packed in resealable bags, making Pretzel Crisps the perfect portable snack for the car rides between swim practice, summer camp and everything in between.

5. Stay hydrated


Instead of that third cup of coffee, you might want to be more conscious of your water intake. You and your family will need to stay hydrated in the summer heat, so always be sure everyone has a bottle of water with them. If there's a bottle within arm's reach, you're more likely to sip using little conscious effort.

6. Make a point to unplug


While it's important to let your kids stay connected to friends and peers during the summer, you should also be aware of your family's technology use. For example, you could make a pact to put away devices at dinner time and two hours before bedtime. Find an approach to regulating technology that works for you.

7. Stick with stellar sleeping habits


Your kids will likely want to stay up later in the summer, but make sure they're still getting adequate sleep. Work as a team to make sleep a family priority.



Comments

Health Alert: 10 ways to be more active during the work day

5/9/2016

 
young-woman-stretching-at-desk
10 ways to be more active during the work day


(BPT) - We're sitting too much and it's dangerous. The average American spends more than seven hours sitting every day, and the more time you sit, the higher your risk of serious, potentially life-threatening health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So, what can you do about it?

Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make during the day - anywhere, even at the work place - to improve your wellness and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. As part of the American Diabetes Association's(R) Wellness Lives Here(SM) initiative, the Association encourages everyone to get active for National Get Fit Don't Sit Day(SM) with these 10 tips for the workplace and beyond.


Park a few blocks away from the office each morning and walk to work.

This allows you to start off your mornings energized and ready to take on the workday. If you take public transportation, get off one stop earlier to squeeze in some light exercise before 8 a.m.


Take the stairs instead of the elevator.


Waiting for the elevator often takes just as long as walking up the stairs, so why not use this opportunity to get your heart rate up? Plus, you'll get the chance to work your leg muscles.


Get up and move around the office once every 90 minutes.


When you're nose-deep in work, it's easy to lose track of time. Set up reminders on your phone or email every 60-90 minutes to get up and do a quick lap around the office. You can use this time to fill up your water bottle, go to the bathroom or catch up with coworkers.


Ask questions and discuss issues face-to-face.


Rather than sending an email every time you have a question, go to your coworker's office to discuss the issue face-to-face. This gives you a good excuse to get moving and a chance to more effectively hash out solutions in person.


Use your lunch break to move around outside.


So many Americans today work through their lunch break. When possible, take advantage of this time to walk outside and soak in the nice weather. Fresh air and vitamin D are often all you need to stay focused and push through the afternoon slump.


Stand up and stretch.


If you don't have time to walk around the office every 90 minutes, use the opportunity to stand up and stretch instead. Stretching is a great way to increase energy levels, reduce muscle tension and get your body moving.


Pace around the office during conference calls.


Conference calls are the perfect time to be active. Put clients and coworkers on speaker, or use your mobile phone during meetings to move around without any trouble.


Do chair exercises at your desk.


You've been wanting to tone your arms for the summer - why not achieve your goals at the office? When you need a break, do a few reps of chair sits. You can even alternate between chair exercises and push ups!


Hold standing or walking meetings.


Many coworkers will welcome the opportunity to stand and stretch their legs for a moment. If you have a two-person meeting, consider going for a walk.


Fidget when you work.


Small movements and quick exercise breaks add up, especially in a sedentary work place, so challenge yourself to stand, stretch or even tap a foot to bring motion into otherwise still parts of your day. Just remember to keep it professional!


Making a point to move throughout the day puts you on the right track toward wellness. For more ideas on how to increase physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle, download the Association's e-tool kit today to incorporate the principles and activities of National Get Fit Don't Sit Day into the workday and beyond.


KEYWORDS

  • activity ×
  • advice ×
  • aerobic exercise ×
  • cardiac ×
  • cardiology ×
  • careers ×
  • exercise ×
  • fitness ×
  • hacks ×
  • health ×
  • heart ×
  • heart health ×
  • job ×
  • jobs ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • tips ×
  • workout ×
  • workplace

8 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Sharp

4/25/2016

 

The brain is the body’s most complex organ. It’s also the most important one. As it turns out, the things that you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain. Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health and stay sharp in the years ahead.


8 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Sharp

(Family Features) The brain is the body’s most complex organ. It’s also the most important one. That’s why keeping it healthy is critical, especially as you age. Every day, scientists are discovering how closely our minds and bodies are connected. As it turns out, the things that you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain.

Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health and stay sharp in the years ahead.

Get Moving
Physical activity is good for your health at every age. Studies show being active is associated with a lower risk of brain issues. Whether it’s nightly walks, playing with the grandkids or taking your favorite yoga class, find an activity that meets your needs and gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes every day.

Eat to Thrive
The antioxidants in nutrient-dense foods like berries, broccoli and legumes, including some fats such as olive oil, may lower some risks to your brain. Try eating a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with lots of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.

Know Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can have serious effects on your brain health. If your blood pressure is high, get it under control. It may help reduce some risks to your brain.

Drink Moderately
How the body handles alcohol can change with age. Some older adults can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink. This can make them more likely to become confused or have accidents. So limit the amount of alcohol you drink – or don’t drink it at all.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Poor sleep, or inadequate sleep, due to issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea, doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It can have serious physical effects and can impact memory and thinking, too. Get comfy and go to bed. Seven to eight hours is a good night’s rest.

Discover a New Talent
When you learn new things, you engage your brain. Try something you haven’t done before – learning French, ballroom dancing or carpentry, for example. Challenging your brain on a regular basis is fun and beneficial.

Stay Connected
Science has shown that regular engagement in social activities can help reduce some risks to your brain. Stay connected and invite family or friends over for a healthy meal, go on a hike together or just hang out.

Talk to Your Doctor
As you age, some changes in brain function, including short-term memory, happen more frequently than when you were younger. If you have questions or are concerned, ask your doctor at your next appointment.

For more tips on keeping your brain healthy and thriving, visit BrainHealth.gov.

SOURCE:
Administration for Community Living

Get moving! 6 ways to add steps to your day

4/21/2016

Comments

 
Picture


(BPT) - If you spend a large portion of your day sitting, you're not alone.

Inactivity is one of the key factors contributing to the nation's high rate of obesity and its related health effects. Research shows 50 to 70 percent of people spend six or more hours a day sitting, and 20 to 35 percent spend four or more hours a day watching TV.

This type of inactivity - or 'sitting disease' - can lead to serious health conditions. For example, nearly 35 percent of U.S. adults are obese, and obesity-related conditions including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer are among the leading causes of preventable death. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. is $147 billion. Annual medical spending on an obese patient is estimated to be $1,429 higher than it is for a person of normal weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While those figures are discouraging, there is one easy solution that could have a profound impact.

Walking is one of the simplest, least expensive and most effective ways individuals can improve their health. It does not require any special skills, expensive equipment or a gym membership.

Below are six easy ways to incorporate more walking into your day:
1. Take a walk with a coworker at lunchtime or schedule a walking meeting.
2. Schedule a walk with the family after dinner.
3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
4. Walk to see a colleague rather than call or e-mail.
5. Get off the bus or train one stop early on your way to work.
6. Start or join a walking or hiking group.

By getting just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week, you could realize significant health benefits. Walking has been shown to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, improve muscle, bone and joint health, maintain a healthy weight, lead to better sleep and provide a mental boost.

That's why the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association encourages individuals, groups and whole communities to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle through its WalkingWorks® program. WalkingWorks, now in its 10th year, was developed in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to help Americans live healthier lives and reduce unnecessary medical costs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the country also host annual National Walk@Lunch day events as a way to promote healthy habits by incorporating walking into a busy work day.

So don't just sit there and let that warm weather go to waste. Take steps to a better you, and see how walking does work!

*Before beginning any weight loss or nutritional program or new exercise regime, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider.

For more information on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog for up-to-date information about BCBSA.

Comments



    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015


    Interested in Publishing on The Health IDEA?

    Send your query to the Publisher today!


    Categories

    All
    911
    AARP
    Abdomen
    Abdominal
    Accident
    Accidental Overdoses
    Accuracy
    Acetaminophen
    Acid Reflux
    Acne
    Activity
    Acupuncture
    Addiction
    Administration
    Adolescent
    Advice
    Aerobic Exercise
    AFib
    Age
    Aging
    AIDS
    Air Ambulance
    Air Quality
    Alcohol
    Allergens
    Allergies
    Allergist
    Allergy
    Allergy Drugs
    Allergy Medication
    Allergy Medicine
    Allergy Shots
    Alternative Medicine
    Alternative Therapies
    Alzheimer's
    Alzheimer's Disease
    Ambulance
    AMD
    Amenities
    American Cancer Society
    American Dental Association
    American Diabetes Association
    American Heart Association
    American Medical Association
    American Red Cross
    American Stroke Association
    Analgesics
    Anesthesia
    Anesthesiologist
    Anesthesiology
    Anorexia
    Antibiotics
    Antioixdants
    Anxiety
    App
    Appetite
    Apples
    Apps
    Aromatherapy
    Arteries
    Artery
    Arthritis
    Aspirin
    Assisted Living
    Asthma
    Atrial Fibrillation
    Attitude
    Author
    Babies
    Baby
    Back
    Back Pain
    Bacteria
    Bathroom
    Beauty
    Bed
    Benefits
    Birth
    Birth-control
    Bladder
    Bleeding
    Blind
    Blindness
    Blood
    Blood Clot
    Blood Clots
    Blood Disorders
    Blood-donors
    Blood Flow
    Blood Pressure
    Blood Sugar
    Blood-test
    Blue-cross-blue-shield
    Book
    Bowel
    Bowel Movement
    Bph
    BPT
    Brain
    Brain Health
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Breast
    Breast Cancer
    Breastfeeding
    Breath
    Breathing
    Brushing
    Caesarian-section
    Caffeine
    Cancer
    Cancer-research-institute
    Cancers
    Cannabidiol
    Cannabis
    Cardiac
    Cardiac Health
    Cardio
    Cardiologist
    Cardiology
    Care
    Careers
    Caregiver
    Caregiving
    Caring
    Cats
    CBD
    CBD Oil
    CBD Products
    CDC
    Cdc1281a12c03
    Celebrity
    Centers For Disease Control And Prevention
    Centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention
    Centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services
    Certification
    Check
    Checkup
    Check-up
    Chemo
    Chemotherapy
    Chest Pain
    Child
    Childbirth
    Children
    Childrens Health
    Cholesterol
    Cholestrol
    Chronic Conditions
    Chronic-conditions
    Chronic Heart Disease
    Chronic Illness
    Chronic Pain
    Chronic-pain
    Cigarette
    Circulation
    Cleaning
    Clinical Trial
    Clinical Trials
    Clinical-trialsb64bff8326
    Clotting
    Cms
    Coding
    Coffee
    Cognition
    Cognitive
    Cold
    Cold And Flu
    Colds
    Colitis
    College
    College Student
    Colon
    Comedian
    Comedy
    Communications
    Complications
    Conception
    Constipation
    Consumers
    Controversy
    Cook
    Cooking
    COPD
    Coping
    Coping-strategies
    Coronary
    Coronavirus
    Costs
    Cough
    Coughing
    Counseling
    COVID
    COVID19
    Credential
    Critical Care
    Crohns
    Crohn’s Disease
    Csection
    Culture
    Dangers
    Death
    Deaths
    Dehydration
    Delivery
    Dementia
    Demographics
    Dental
    Dentist
    Dentistry
    Depression
    Dermatolgist
    Dermatolists
    Dermatology
    Destress
    Detection
    Development
    Diabetes
    Diabetic
    Diagnosis
    Diagnostics
    Diarrhea
    Diet
    Diets
    Digestion
    Digestive
    Digestive Disorders
    Digestive Issues
    Disability
    Disease
    Disinfect
    Disinfecting
    Disorders
    Disposables
    DNA
    Doctor
    Doctors
    Dog
    Dogs
    Donors
    Dosage
    Dose-counter
    Dr-james-andrews
    Drugs
    Drug Safety
    Drug-store
    Earache
    Early Detection
    Ear Pain
    Ears
    Eating
    Eating-disorders
    Eating Well
    ECG
    Ed
    Education
    Efficacy
    Ehealth
    EKG
    Eldercare
    Elder Care
    Elderly
    Emergency
    Emergency Room
    Encephalitis
    Energy
    Energy Healing
    Epidemic
    Epidemiology
    ER
    Erectile-dysfunction
    Errors
    Essential Oils
    Ethnicity
    Exercise
    Exercising
    Exhaustion
    Expenses
    Expert
    Experts
    Extremities
    Eye Disease
    Eye Exam
    Eye Health
    Eyes
    Face
    Families
    Family
    Family Caregivers
    Family Caregiving
    Family Features
    Family History
    Family-planning
    Fatal
    Fatality
    Fatigue
    FDA
    Federal Government
    Feet
    Feline-health
    Female
    Fertility
    Fever
    Fiber
    Finances
    Financial
    Findings
    First-aid
    Fitness
    Flossing
    Flu
    Fluids
    Flu Season
    Flu Shot
    Focus
    Fodmap
    Food
    Food And Drug Administration
    Food Safety
    Foot Massage
    Fruit
    Fruits
    Fungus
    Gastroenterologist
    Gastrointestinal
    Genes
    Gene-therapy
    Genetics
    Genetic Testing
    Genomics
    GERD
    Germs
    Giving
    Government
    Grandparents
    Grants
    Grocery
    Gums
    Gynecologist
    Gynecology
    Habits
    Hacks
    Hair
    Hand
    Hands
    Head
    Headache
    Headaches
    Healing
    Heallth
    Health
    Health Care
    Health-care-careers
    Health-care-jobs
    Health Insurance
    Health Policy
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Lfestyle
    Healthy Living
    Hearing
    Hearing Aid
    Hearing Aids
    Hearing Loss
    Heart
    Heart Attack
    Heartbeat
    Heart Beat
    Heart Disease
    Heart Failure
    Heart Health
    Heart Rate
    Heartworm
    Heat
    Heath
    Help
    Hemophilia
    Hemp
    Hepatitis
    Hepatitis-b
    Hepatitis-c
    Hereditary
    High Blood Pressure
    High Cholesterol
    High School
    Hiv
    Holidays
    Holistic Healing
    Holistic Health
    Holistic Therapy
    Home
    Home Health
    Home-health
    Home Remedies
    Home Remedy
    Hormonal
    Hormonal Therapy
    Hormones
    Hormone Therapy
    Hospice
    Hospital
    Hrt
    Hydration
    Hygiene
    IBD
    Ibs
    Ibsd
    Illness
    Illnesses
    Imbalance
    Imbalances
    Immune-system
    Immunizations
    Immunotherapy
    Implant
    Impotence
    Incidence
    Incontinence
    Infection
    Infertility
    Inflammation
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    Influenza
    Info
    Information
    Inhaler
    Inhalers
    Injections
    Injury
    Inner Ear
    Innovation
    Inpatient
    Insects
    Insomnia
    Insurance
    Intensive-care
    Internet
    Intestines
    Investigational Therapy
    Irregular Heartbeat
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea
    Isolation
    Job
    Jobs
    Joint-health
    Joints
    Journal
    Kid
    Kidney-disease
    Kidney-failure
    Kids
    Kitchen
    Knee
    Knees
    Knowledge
    Lab
    Labor
    Laboratory
    Lactation
    Law
    Learning
    Legal
    Life Expectancy
    Lifehacks
    Lifestyle
    Light
    Lips
    Listen
    Listening
    Lists
    Living Well
    Longevity
    Lump
    Lumps
    Lung
    Lung-cancer
    Lung Disease
    Lungs
    Macular Degeneration
    Magnetic Healing
    Mail
    Mail Order
    Marijuana
    Marketing
    Massage
    Mastectomy
    Maternal-health
    Maternity
    Mayo-clinic
    MCI
    MD Anderson
    Meals
    Medicaid
    Medical
    Medical Care
    Medical Errors
    Medical History
    Medical Research
    Medical Study
    Medical Test
    Medical-waste
    Medicare
    Medication
    Medications
    Medicine
    Medicines
    Meditation
    Medium
    Melanoma
    Melatonin
    Memory
    Memory Function
    Memory Loss
    Men
    Meningitis
    Meningococcal
    Menopause
    Men's Health
    Mens Health
    Mental
    Mental Functioning
    Mental Health
    Mentalhealthmatters
    Mental Illness
    Migraine
    Migraines
    Mild Cognitive Impairment
    Military
    Mind
    Minimally Invasive Procedures
    Ministroke
    Minorities
    Moisture
    Mold
    Mom
    Moms
    Money
    Monitor
    Monitoring
    Mood
    Mood Disorders
    Mood Swings
    Mortaility
    Mortality
    Mortality Rate
    Mosquito
    Mosquitoes
    Mother
    Motivation
    Mouth
    Mrsa
    MS
    Multiple Sclerosis
    Multivitamin
    Muscles
    Music Therapy
    Myths
    Nails
    Naloxone
    National Cancer Institute
    National Institutes Of Health
    Natural
    Natural Healing
    Natural Health
    Nausea
    Neck
    Needles
    Nerve-blocks
    Neurologist
    Neurology
    Neuropathic-pain
    Neuropathy
    News
    Nicotine
    Night
    Nighttime
    NIH
    Nocturia
    Nurses
    Nursing
    Nursing Home
    Nutrition
    Obgyn
    Obstetrics
    Omega-3
    Oncologists
    Oncology
    Online
    Opiod Addiction
    Opiod Overdose
    Opiods
    Opioid
    Opioid-addiction
    Opioid-addiction
    Opioids
    Opportunity
    Opthamologist
    Opthamology
    Oral Care
    Oral Health
    Oral Hygeine
    Organic
    OTC
    Outbreak
    Outcomes
    Outdoors
    Outlook
    Outpatient
    Overdose
    Overprescribing
    Overthecounter
    Over The Counter
    Ovulation
    Oxygen
    Pain
    Pain-clinic
    Pain-clinics
    Pain-disorders
    Pain Management
    Pain-management
    Pain Medication
    Pain-medication
    Pain Medications
    Pain-medications
    Pancreatic-cancer
    Parent
    Parenting
    Parents
    Patch
    Pathology
    Patient
    Patient Education
    Patients
    Patient Safety
    Pediatric
    Pediatrician
    Pediatrics
    Perspective
    Perspiration
    Pet-health
    Pet-owners
    Pets
    Pharmaceuticals
    Pharmacy
    Physical
    Physical Therapy
    Physician
    Physician Anesthesiologist
    Physicians
    Physiology
    Pink-eye
    Plaque-psoriasis
    Platelets
    Podiatry
    Poison
    Poison Control
    Policy
    Pollution
    Postsurgery
    Practice
    Pregnacy-test
    Pregnancy
    Pregnant
    Prescribing
    Prescription CBD
    Prescription Drugs
    Prescriptions
    Prevalence
    Prevention
    Primary Care Doctor
    Probiotic
    Probiotics
    Procedure
    Productivity
    Product Testing
    Prostate
    Protein
    Providers
    Psoriasis
    Psoriatic-arthritis
    Psychiatry
    Psychology
    Ptsd
    Public-health
    Pulmonary
    Pulmonology
    Pulse
    Qualifications
    Quality
    Quality Of Life
    Quiz
    Race
    Radiation
    Rankings
    Rare
    Reading
    Recipe
    Recovery
    Recurrence
    Red-cross
    Reflexology
    Reflux
    Regulation
    Rehab
    Rehabilitation
    Reimbursement
    Relationships
    Relax
    Relaxation
    Remedies
    Remedy
    Remote
    Rem-sleep
    Replacement
    Research
    Researchers
    Resources
    Rest
    Risk
    Risk Factors
    Risks
    Rotator-cuff
    Routine
    Routine Physical
    Running
    Rural
    Rural Health
    Rural Hospitals
    Safety
    Salt
    Sarcoma
    Savings
    Scanning
    Schedule
    Schizophrenia
    School
    Science
    Screening
    Screenings
    Seasonal Allergies
    Seasons
    Second-opinion
    Selfassessment
    Selfmonitoring
    Self-monitoring
    Senior Citizens
    Seniors
    Serotonin
    Service
    Services
    Sex
    Sexual Function
    Sexual Health
    Sharps
    Shopping
    Shoulder
    Side Effects
    Side-effects
    Sinus
    Sinuses
    Skin
    Skin Cancer
    Skin-cancer
    Skin Care
    Sleep
    Sleep Apnea
    Sleep Cycle
    Sleep Deprivation
    Sleep Disorder
    Sleeping
    Sleep Loss
    Sleep Quality
    Smartphone
    Smokers
    Smoking
    Smoking Cessation
    Sneezing
    Social-media
    Sodium
    Softtissue Sarcomas
    Softtissue-sarcomas
    Sound Therapy
    Specialists
    Specialty
    Speech
    Spiritual
    Srping
    States
    Stimulants
    Stomach
    Strength
    Stress
    Stretching
    Stroke
    Strokes
    Student
    Studies
    Study
    Sugar
    Suicide
    Summer
    Sun
    Sunscreen
    Supplements
    Support
    Support Group
    Surgeon
    Surgery
    Surgical
    Survey
    Survivability
    Survival
    Survival Rate
    Swallowing
    Symptom
    Symptomology
    Symptoms
    Tech
    Technology
    Teen
    Teenage
    Teen Health
    Teens
    Teeth
    Telemedicine
    Tendons
    Test
    Testing
    Tests
    The New England Journal Of Medicine
    Therapies
    Therapy
    Thinking
    Thyroid
    Thyroid Disease
    Thyroid Disorders
    Tia
    Time
    Tip
    Tips
    Tobacco
    Toddlers
    Toes
    Toothbrush
    Track
    Tracking
    Traditional
    Training
    Transmission
    Travel
    Treatment
    Treatment Options
    Tremor
    Trend
    Trends
    Trials
    Tumor
    Tumors
    Ulcerative Colitis
    Uncontrolled Asthma
    Urethra
    Urinary
    Urinate
    Urination
    Urologist
    Urology
    Uv-rays
    Vaccination
    Vaccine
    Vaccines
    Vaginal-dryness
    Vector
    Veterans
    Veterinary
    Virus
    Viruses
    Vision
    Vitamin
    Vitamins
    Volunteer
    Volunteers
    Walk
    Walking
    Warning Sign
    Warning Signs
    Water
    Wearables
    Weather
    Web
    Website
    Weight
    Weight Gain
    Weight Loss
    Wellbeing
    Wellness
    West-nile
    Winter
    Woman
    Women
    Women's Health
    Womens Health
    Work
    Workout
    Workplace
    Wounds
    Yawning
    Young Adults
    Zika






    RSS Feed


Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt