The R to Z of wellness

R—REST IS one way to accomplish another R—rejuvenation.

The human body, while assumed to be a machine working in perfect order, needs to rest. And just like a machine that is overused, it can break down. How much rest depends on every individual’s needs.

The average rest time is eight to 10 hours of sleep. And if you’re not in the habit of catnapping, try to develop it. Studies have shown that people who nap anywhere from five to 15 minutes daily have a stronger resilience to illness and nervous breakdown.

Rejuvenating the body is not an impossibility. You can look younger by dropping a few pounds and exercising regularly. In fact, an inexpensive way is to adopt a more cheerful attitude in life. When you’re happy, you glow.

S—Your sexuality is not only about your gender, but also your frame of mind. It is a fact that men carry female hormones (estrogen) and women have male hormones (testosterone). However, it’s the amount of these hormones in the body that determine what drives us all.

The sexual act, clinically speaking, does the body good, according to many experts. The brain releases endorphins after the sexual act. Its benefits include energy and youthfulness and the soothing of chronic aches and pains and easing of stress. According to Dr. Margarita Holmes, author of “Life, Love, Lust,” sex with emotional involvement and commitment elevates the act to a higher level of gratification and fulfillment.

T—There are Ts we should look out for—thyroid and teeth.

Good health begins in the mouth. Teeth play the role of breaking down into smaller pieces the food we eat. If you were to swallow a chunk of chicken without masticating it, the burden of digesting it in the stomach will be heavier. The result: longer digestion time and gas pains. The advice is to chew 10-18 times before you swallow any kind of solid food. Maintain a healthy mouth by visiting your dentist twice a year. There is a plan for a perfect mouth:

Brush often—it’s your number one defense against tooth decay.

Brush right—if done correctly, brushing removes plaque and bacteria. The brush must tilt a little so that its bristles reach the tooth surface, the gums, and just underneath the gums.

Choose the right toothbrush

Floss

Here’s something you may welcome: An old custom in some European cultures is to eat hard cheeses like manchego, parmesan, etc., which may reduce cavity-causing bacteria.

Hypo or hyper

If you have unexplained weight gain or loss, have your thyroid checked. An underactive thyroid (hypo) causes metabolism to show down, and an overactive one (hyper) has the opposite effect. Like a silent partner, your thyroid works behind the scenes. It’s small and butterfly-shaped and is located at the base of the throat. Its hormones regulate body temperature, heart rate and metabolism. An untreated malfunctioning thyroid can trigger heart problems and may even lead to coma or death.

U—Ultraviolet radiation is damaging to the skin and your general health. Do you know that one bad sunburn in your childhood may double your risk of skin cancer?

Sun damage ages the skin. So, even if you’re 30 but continuously sunbathe, chances are, you probably look 40.

Sun damage causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear on your face and body.

The good news is, skin cancer is 100-percent curable as long as it’s caught in time. But best of all, it is preventable. UVA, UVB and UVC rays from the sun are best avoided from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Always wear a sunscreen daily, at least SPF 30.

V—Vegetables! Because they can reverse your health challenges, veggies should be your new best friends. Why? Because they are high in calcium, fiber, betacarotene, and vitamins C and E. Remember, the deeper the color—as in, dark green—the richer in enzymes that act as the lifeblood of cells. And even the rainbow colors—green, red, yellow—are rich in nutrients that can add radiance to your skin and energy to your body.

Broccoli, carrots and leafy greens are called longevity foods. They act like high octane fuel to the body, thereby preventing many causes of premature aging.

All vegetables have almost zero fat or cholesterol which will help bring down high blood pressure and blood sugar.

Eat at least five servings of vegetables a day. Their antioxidant load combats the formation of free-radical damage. This is the main reason why vegetables are high on the priority list in anti-cancer regimens.

W—Water. Need to be reminded about this? Drink plenty of water in its purest form. If you are planning to diet and also intend to prevent binge eating, drink two glasses of water immediately. This controls cravings and hunger pangs which could be caused by dehydration.

Remember: The rule is eight to 15 glasses daily for optimum health.

W is for wellness—The harmony of body, mind and spirit.

X—Xceptional and Xciting is what you will become if you embrace a wellness lifestyle.

Y—YES to life. It’s your life, so take charge of it now. Give yourself permission to live your life to the fullest. It’s never too late.

Z—The zest for life begins with a brave heart and a strong will to live.

Love and light!