Life
Got a minute?
Score points for healthy behaviour with these 60-second fixes. By Laurie McLaughlin and Kathleen Pennepacker.
Add up all the things you’re supposed to do every day to stay healthy (the sleeping, the sweating, the vegie steaming, the Sudoku solving) and it can feel like a full-time job. But studies show you can reap major body benefits – whether you double the kilojoules you burn in a workout or reduce your risk of cancer – in a minute or less. That should leave plenty of time for Quickflix, YouTube, StrawberryNET… You know, the important stuff.
On your way home from work...
The change Stop by the florist
The benefit Less grumpiness the next morning.
New research from Harvard University, US, shows that even people who say they’re not “morning people” report feeling happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the AM.
When you’re at the chemist...
The change Read the fine print on sunscreen labels
The benefit Better SPF protection.
A recent test of sunscreen products found that 83 per cent of them don’t provide adequate sun protection. To guard against both UVA and UVB rays, look for products that contain zinc (or zinc oxide) and titanium (or titanium dioxide).
When you first get to work...
The change Log on to a funny website
The benefit Fewer colds.
Instead of starting your day trawling through emails, try a corker site like Cracked.com. Research suggests that a moment of mirth increases the body’s secretion of immune-boosting growth hormones and endorphins.
When you graze your knee...
The change Dab some honey on it
The benefit You save moolah on Band-Aids.
A study in the International Journal of Clinical Practice shows that natural disinfectants in honey can speed healing, reduce the risk of infection and soothe pain. Just apply a thin layer over small cuts and scrapes.
When you want a snack...
The change Peel a banana
The benefit They guard against colon cancer.
A Scottish study of almost 5000 people found that getting plenty of vitamin B6 reduces the risk of colon cancer by about 20 per cent. One small banana dishes out more than a quarter of your daily recommended intake of B6.
When you’re yawning at 3pm...
The change Choose coffee over energy drinks
The benefit Reduced diabetes risk.
Coffee has fewer kilojoules and more antioxidants than most fizzy drinks – and a Finnish study found that if you drink three to six cups a day you’re 50 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, compared with sipping two cups or less.
When you’re craving a cigarette...
The change Drink milk
The benefit Less-satisfying smokos.
In a recent survey of smokers from Duke University, US, nearly 20 per cent agreed that milk makes ciggies taste bad. “Your brain can eventually connect the taste of milk with a decreased desire to smoke,” says lead researcher Dr Joseph McClernon.
When you’re waiting for a machine at the gym...
The change Skip rope
The benefit Mega kilojoule frying.
“Jumping rope for one minute and then resting for one minute between sets of weight-training exercises can nearly double the kilojoules you burn,” says Patrick Murphy, Eva Longoria’s personal trainer.
During the week before your period...
The change Order a glass of wine with dinner
The benefit Less PMS.
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation in the US linked moderate alcohol consumption (about one drink per day) to fewer pre-menstrual mood changes and headaches.
During a DIY pedi...
The change Examine your feet
The benefit Early skin-cancer detection.
Melanoma can develop even in places that don’t see much sun. The three most common on the feet: the soles, between the toes and around or under the toenails. See a doctor if you notice spots that are new, asymmetrical or that change in size, colour or thickness.
When you’re having your annual check-up...
The change Tackle the tough stuff first
The benefit A better relationship with your GP.
Research shows that patients who bring up difficult issues at the start of an appointment are more likely to be satisfied with the visit and to adhere to their doc’s recommendations.
Add up all the things you’re supposed to do every day to stay healthy (the sleeping, the sweating, the vegie steaming, the Sudoku solving) and it can feel like a full-time job. But studies show you can reap major body benefits – whether you double the kilojoules you burn in a workout or reduce your risk of cancer – in a minute or less. That should leave plenty of time for Quickflix, YouTube, StrawberryNET… You know, the important stuff.
On your way home from work...
The change Stop by the florist
The benefit Less grumpiness the next morning.
New research from Harvard University, US, shows that even people who say they’re not “morning people” report feeling happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the AM.
When you’re at the chemist...
The change Read the fine print on sunscreen labels
The benefit Better SPF protection.
A recent test of sunscreen products found that 83 per cent of them don’t provide adequate sun protection. To guard against both UVA and UVB rays, look for products that contain zinc (or zinc oxide) and titanium (or titanium dioxide).
When you first get to work...
The change Log on to a funny website
The benefit Fewer colds.
Instead of starting your day trawling through emails, try a corker site like Cracked.com. Research suggests that a moment of mirth increases the body’s secretion of immune-boosting growth hormones and endorphins.
When you graze your knee...
The change Dab some honey on it
The benefit You save moolah on Band-Aids.
A study in the International Journal of Clinical Practice shows that natural disinfectants in honey can speed healing, reduce the risk of infection and soothe pain. Just apply a thin layer over small cuts and scrapes.
When you want a snack...
The change Peel a banana
The benefit They guard against colon cancer.
A Scottish study of almost 5000 people found that getting plenty of vitamin B6 reduces the risk of colon cancer by about 20 per cent. One small banana dishes out more than a quarter of your daily recommended intake of B6.
When you’re yawning at 3pm...
The change Choose coffee over energy drinks
The benefit Reduced diabetes risk.
Coffee has fewer kilojoules and more antioxidants than most fizzy drinks – and a Finnish study found that if you drink three to six cups a day you’re 50 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, compared with sipping two cups or less.
When you’re craving a cigarette...
The change Drink milk
The benefit Less-satisfying smokos.
In a recent survey of smokers from Duke University, US, nearly 20 per cent agreed that milk makes ciggies taste bad. “Your brain can eventually connect the taste of milk with a decreased desire to smoke,” says lead researcher Dr Joseph McClernon.
When you’re waiting for a machine at the gym...
The change Skip rope
The benefit Mega kilojoule frying.
“Jumping rope for one minute and then resting for one minute between sets of weight-training exercises can nearly double the kilojoules you burn,” says Patrick Murphy, Eva Longoria’s personal trainer.
During the week before your period...
The change Order a glass of wine with dinner
The benefit Less PMS.
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation in the US linked moderate alcohol consumption (about one drink per day) to fewer pre-menstrual mood changes and headaches.
During a DIY pedi...
The change Examine your feet
The benefit Early skin-cancer detection.
Melanoma can develop even in places that don’t see much sun. The three most common on the feet: the soles, between the toes and around or under the toenails. See a doctor if you notice spots that are new, asymmetrical or that change in size, colour or thickness.
When you’re having your annual check-up...
The change Tackle the tough stuff first
The benefit A better relationship with your GP.
Research shows that patients who bring up difficult issues at the start of an appointment are more likely to be satisfied with the visit and to adhere to their doc’s recommendations.
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