| Sound mind/sound body--you've heard it before, | | | | be right for everyone, so you'll need to |
| but it's even truer today as we cope with more | | | | experiment to find what works best for you. |
| and more information. Although the human brain is | | | | Some tips to get started: |
| only 2% of average body weight, it consumes | | | | - Make one small change at a time. If you find |
| about 20% of available energy and 20% of | | | | yourself resisting a change, try an even smaller |
| oxygen. A brain stressed by poor nutrition, lack of | | | | step. For example, if you haven't exercised in a |
| oxygen, or insufficient sleep can't process | | | | long time, try beginning by walking for five |
| information efficiently or effectively. You'll feel | | | | minutes, not running for thirty minutes (and check |
| foggy, stressed, and unproductive. Cultivate | | | | with your physician before starting). Or start |
| healthy habits for better concentration, mental | | | | upgrading your diet by substituting one healthy |
| clarity, and overall well-being. Core healthy habits | | | | snack for your usual candy bar or doughnut. |
| include | | | | - Choosing among programs can push you into |
| - Good nutrition, with emphasis on whole foods. | | | | information overload if you let it. Review a few |
| Minimize or eliminate sugars, artificial sweeteners, | | | | programs, and try the one that appeals to you |
| trans fats, and processed foods. | | | | the most. Then stick with it long enough to tell |
| - Exercise. A balanced exercise plan includes | | | | whether it's working for you. Trying to |
| aerobic exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness, | | | | mix-and-match programs can be confusing. But |
| weight-bearing exercises to increase strength and | | | | don't hesitate to switch programs once it's clear |
| build lean muscle, and stretching exercises to | | | | that one doesn't work for you. |
| promote flexibility. | | | | - Don't let preconceived ideas stop you from |
| - Sufficient sleep. Many time management | | | | trying something new. Not a morning person? Try |
| program suggest getting up an hour earlier. This | | | | exercising first thing in the morning anyway. That |
| can be counterproductive if you're already getting | | | | was the key that helped me create a regular |
| too little sleep. Look for other ways to save time | | | | exercise habit after years of starting and then |
| than by shortchanging your need for sleep. | | | | quitting. Now I look forward to lifting weights. |
| Need to make some changes? There's plenty of | | | | Take these steps toward a sound body and a |
| advice and programs available in books, in videos, | | | | sound mind, and you'll feel less stressed by |
| on TV, and on the Internet. No single program will | | | | information overload. |