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Demystifying Health: The Basics The first step in becoming healthier is knowing how to cut through the chaotic clutter of "health advice." Health is a hot topic of conversation, and it is also a multi-billion dollar business. As a result, we are bombarded with countless health-related messages every day from friends, family, doctors, product labels, magazines, newspapers, the Internet, books, TV, radio, and many other sources. And, as you’ve probably noticed, these messages often contradict one another. To take control of our health, we must be able to separate fact from fiction and make decisions that are best for ourselves and for our families. The bad news is that it is no simple task to figure out what advice to take and what to ignore. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, I’ll give you some of the basics that will help you sort through the confusion. The
Basics Exercise: Exercise is good for you. And there is such a thing as too much exercise. Eat Right: Basing what you eat on fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods is better than basing it on highly processed or fatty foods. Strive For Balance: Finding the right balance of work, rest, sleep, and play is essential to feeling good and being healthy. Understanding and utilizing these three concepts is a big step toward better health: they are the foundation of a healthier life. Your specific road to health will be unique to you, and in future columns, I will give you practical information about how to make specific changes based on these three fundamental ideas. However, if you begin by putting the basic principles of health to work, you will be well on your way.
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