Kris Jensen Blog

Yeah Summer!

 Some of us living in the Midwest thought summer was never going to arrive. But our patience has paid off as we celebrate the wonderfully long days of sunshine and blue sky (with an occasional thunderstorm rolling through).

 Now the only question is how do we use these summer days to benefit us through the next long winter??

 A recently completed longitudinal study (1993 through 2006) done by Cambridge University found that people who practiced four healthy lifestyle behaviors lived an average of 14 years longer than people with none of these behaviors. The valuable healthy lifestyles were: 1. not smoking, 2. moderate alcohol consumption 3. being physical active, and 4. eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Not a surprise but the key to this study is that when all four behaviors were incorporated into a person’s life there was a significant increase in longevity.

 The study looked at 20,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 79, clearly statistically significant and warranting further investigation of the findings.

 Summer affords us a perfect practice arena to begin making these healthy life changes. The opportunity to increase physical activity is a given in the summer months. Golfing, tennis, running, hiking, swimming, and gardening are just a few of the activities that can be enjoyed during the summer months. The longer days make these activities even more doable. All the reruns on TV are just one more incentive to get outside instead of lazing around on the couch watching TV.

 Gone to a fresh outside market recently? The availability of fresh, beautiful fruits and vegetables is a real gift to us in the summer months. Treat your palate to new flavors of unusual fruits and vegetables. Build your meals around vegetables with the protein being a side dish rather than the main entrée. The web is full of recipes to inspire you in ways to use the harvest of summer to your enjoyment.

 Moderate alcohol consumption is another habit that summer can foster. The many cool drinks like lemonade, iced tea, limeaids, and fruit spritzers serve as refreshing substitutes for alcohol. No matter how thirsty you are and how good a cold beer sounds, the reality is that beer will do nothing to quench your thirst. If anything, it increases your thirst and can promote dehydration. Consider limiting your alcohol to just your evening meals and then limit it to 1 – 2 glasses.

 One of the big fears some smokers have in relation to quitting is that they will gain weight. Well once again summer provides the perfect time to quit the smoking habit. All the opportunities for exercise will help keep that waistline under control. Also think of all the extra energy and lung capacity you will have if you kick the smoking habit.

 By incorporating these changes to your lifestyle you are increasing the chance of a healthy, longer life that will have you looking forward to summer for many years to come.