Dr. A's Habits of Health

Shrug it off.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:00:38 +0000

Strengthening your trapezius muscle, which runs from your shoulders to your neck and upper back, can reduce chronic neck pain by up to 80 percent.

Debug your desk.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:50 +0000

As many as 283 species of bacteria can thrive in ordinary office dust, including nasty streptococcus, the main cause of strep throat, and Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to MRSA an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, according to a recent report. Wipe down your workstation, keyboard and phone regularly with a disinfectant to stay healthy.

Reboot your brain.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:12 +0000

Mundane tasks, such as entering data into a spreadsheet, can switch your mind into default mode, making you more likely to mess up within about 30 seconds, scientists say. Avoid operating on autopilot by going for a brisk 5-minute walk.

Play red light, green light.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:23 +0000

For increasing your endurance, four to six 30-second bursts of all-out cardio are just as effective as up to an hour of training at a lower intensity. Short on time? Use intervals to get stronger more quickly.

Clean up your mouth.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:09 +0000

Two ounces of yogurt a day (the typical container holds six ounces) may protect you from gum disease, a recent study in the Journal of Periodontology shows. The “good” bacterium in yogurt helps fight germs in your mouth.

Get your head examined.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:02 +0000

Melanomas found on your scalp or neck almost double your risk of dying compared with those detected elsewhere on the body, report researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Because they’re often hidden by hair, malignant moles and other skin abnormalities are typically detected too late for treatment to [...]

D-Stress.

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:00:10 +0000

Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can decrease your risk of developing a stress fracture by 20 percent. Active women should strive for 1,000 IU of D and 2,000 milligrams of calcium daily to keep their bones strong.

Get some sleep!

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:00:18 +0000

Studies show that not getting enough sleep can stress the immune system enough to trigger tissue-damaging inflammation that raises the odds for heart disease and autoimmune disorders. The more you miss, the greater your risk. Aim for eight hours nightly.

Want to live a long life?

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:35 +0000

75% of the factors that affect your life span are in your hands. Get motivated to stretch out your years!

Feeling anxious?

Dr. Wayne Andersen — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:47 +0000

Increasing potassium and limiting sodium could quell anxiety by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Pass on salt and peel a potassium-rich banana to keep calm!