When Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley swung by Orr Elementary School in Washington, D.C., recently, he explained to the 100 kids circled around him that he’d already exercised that day.Instead of making those same old health-related New Year’s resolutions, I asked some experts to think outside the box for 2012:
•Work on your focus, says Susan Lehmann, a psychiatrist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Lehmann suggests trying to limit distractions.
•Eat more fiber, says Georgetown University Hospital gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan. “Though many of us are aware that we need more fiber in our diets, most Americans only consume about 12 to 15 grams of the stuff each day,” she said.
•Give sleep a chance, says Helene Emsellem, medical director of the Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders in Chevy Chase, Md.
“Getting the proper amount of rest has many positive health advantages, including a reduced risk of heart disease, increased concentration and memory, and enhanced creativity,” according to Emsellem.
•Improve important relationships, says clinical psychologist Robin Haight, who practices in Vienna, Va. “Meaningful rapport with friends and family is an important source of resiliency, providing a buffer against stress,” she said.
•Eat dark chocolate daily, says family medicine and chronic pain specialist Gary Kaplan, of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Va. Kaplan said research suggests that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can help decrease blood pressure; lower insulin resistance and the risk of Type 2 diabetes; and help protect the lining of the blood vessels.
