So, last week was interesting, to say the least … I smashed the whole front end of my eight month old vehicle. Luckily, I was fine, no subsequent injuries, not even a bit of soreness… $5300 later, I continue to remain emotionless about the whole thing.

Why?
Seconds after the 30 mph collision, during 5:00 pm traffic on a rain slick highway, my thoughts instantly defaulted to my GOOD fortune …

Did you know?
“Brain freeze” is a sudden headache from eating or drinking something very cold, such as ice cream or a snow cone.

Steps to take
To prevent “brain freeze,” keep the cold item away from the roof of your mouth. Warm the item in front of the mouth for a few seconds.

Time, Time, Time. You have accepted the multi-sport challenge and now it is TIME to get started. What better way to start than with the concept of TIME, by far the biggest fear factor most people attribute to why they think they can’t do a triathlon. You are a busy person with an active personal and work life and every minute counts, right? We get that. However, you may be surprised to learn that Tri training doesn’t have to take as much time as you think. The key is to adapt the training plan to fit into your lifestyle.

Did you know?
When found early, skin cancer can be treated with high success

Steps to take
Do a skin self-exam monthly. Look for changes in birthmarks, blemishes, and moles. Check for a sore that does not heal. If you have any of these problems, let your doctor know. Find out more from National Cancer Institute at 800.4.CANCER (422.6237) or www.cancer.gov.

In the book Freedom Inc., research is cited showing that stressful incidents at work can be more damaging than stresses in our personal lives and are a contributing factor in up to 75% of all visits to primary care physicians. These stresses can manifest themselves in the form of back pain, musculoskeletal problems, headaches, emotional issues and loss of sleep. Over time, these stresses may lead to more serious issues such as heart disease.

The book noted that the most important factor in reducing workplace stress is to let employees feel they have more control over their own work. Additionally, a healthy diet low on sweets and junk food, regular and moderate exercise, and getting the correct amount of sleep all assist in stress reduction.

This is the day you decide to start your lifestyle on a healthy path. What do you do?

Try these easy steps and you will be well on your way!

1.  Put your goals and wishes down on paper.

What’s your wellness vision? Where do you imagine yourself two to three years from now? Set three-month and weekly goals based on this vision. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic and Time-oriented.

Secrets of the physical and mental game

Did you ever wonder why we have been given the sense of pain?

When it is said that there is a “fine line between pain and pleasure,” the intent was not to be taken in the realm of the sadistic or masochistic, yet to “feel pain” is an extremely integral part of life.

Have we become wimpy, cowardly and a bunch of sissies?

Do we crumble at the mere experience of any pain, trying to wash away the physical or emotional feelings with drugs (illicit / recreational and pharmaceutical) or alcohol?

Did you know?
Correct Posture Month takes place in May. Using correct posture puts minimum stress on the joints of the body. This reduces the risk of injury and osteoporosis.

Steps to take
For correct posture, keep your ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line. When lifting things, bend the legs, not the back. Also, children’s backpacks should not weigh more than 10% of their body weight.

Did you know?
Better Sleep Month stresses the importance of sleep for overall good health. Did you know that a lack of sleep is linked to being overweight?

Steps to take
Get enough sleep at night to feel refreshed the next day. If you have insomnia for more than 3 weeks, see your doctor. Learn more from the National Sleep Foundation at sleepfoundation.org.

A recent report on ABC News noted that American’s most common complaint about sleep is that they don’t get enough of it, and this can lead to serious health consequences. Researchers reported that a lack of sleep is connected to cardiovascular disease and hypertension. It also compromises your immune system, contributes to obesity and can impair your mental judgment. A new study from Sweden reported that heart attacks rose 5% during the springtime when clocks were changed and people adjusted to losing an hour of sleep; heart attacks dropped in the fall when the clocks were turned back and an extra hour was added.