ENGAGING YOUR CORE

When you are sitting at your desk, try taking a moment to practice engaging your core muscles. Doing so can improve your posture, prevent low-back pain and help flatten your belly. Sit up tall; place one hand on your belly and the other in the small of your back. Bring your hands closer together through compressing your abdominal wall. Next, move your hands to the sides of your natural waist. While breathing normally, draw them toward one another without pressing, narrowing your waist.

SUNGLASSES FOR KIDS

Experts recommend that everyone, including children, protect their eyes from the sun. Sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection can help filter out damaging rays. Sunglasses that don’t block UV rays may actually be more harmful to wear.  Shop for glasses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays and that fit children’s active lifestyles. Think function instead of fashion when buying sunglasses. Look at the amount of UV protection, lens quality and durability to guarantee that you buy the right sunglasses for your child.

HIRING A PERSONAL TRAINER

Working with the right personal trainer can really help you reach your goals. Our fitness experts recommend you consider these important criteria when hiring a personal trainer: Is he or she certified by a reputable organization such as the American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise or National Strength and Conditioning Association? Do they have an academic background in health or exercise science? Have you heard positive comments from other clients? Are their fees reasonable? Can they meet your schedule?
Does their personality click with yours?

SOY SAUCE

Did you know that low-sodium soy sauce might still contain more than 500 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon? That's one-third of the recommended daily intake for many people. Remember—a reduced-sodium food, while often better than the original, is not always a low-sodium food.

POSITIVE IMAGERY FOR ATHLETIC SUCCESS

What are you thinking about before shooting a basketball or putting a golf ball? Research suggests a good way to improve success in these athletic tasks is through positive imagery. Instead of thinking, "don't miss," visualize success.  Imagine yourself performing perfectly and confidently while incorporating all your senses (see, feel, hear, smell, and taste). Positive visualization is a skill and takes practice in order to be perfected.

BENEFITS OF QUITTING SMOKING

According to the National Cancer Institute, the health benefits of quitting smoking begin immediately—carbon monoxide levels in the blood begin to normalize and heart rate and blood pressure begin to return to normal. After a few days, smell and taste senses are improved.
After just a few months, lung function and breathing get better—and the risk of heart attack begins to fall.

DO SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!

Sweating the small stuff may not be good advice when dealing with daily stresses, but experts say it may be the most effective approach when it comes to weight control. Try setting small, specific goals such as substituting every other soda with a glass of water or committing to a one-mile walk three times per week after dinner.
Procrastination also gets in the way of forming healthier habits, so start today! For more useful tips, go to www.smallstep.gov.