People receiving
flowers had more positive
moods even 2
weeks later.Yes, it’s that time of year again, when we take stock of our lives and make new promises (okay, resolutions) for change. We toss the habits and the stuffthat haven’t served us well and give a shot at new ways of doing things that will help us enjoy better health and greater happiness. To get you started, here are 11 positive actions you can take right now.
OUT WITH: bad air (and in with good air)
Clean air standards may help keep the local factory from belching soot into the sky, but it’s up to you to police the atmosphere under your own roof. For a house where you can breathe easy, remember one word: ventilation. Keep doors between rooms open so fresh air can circulate. Open windows when appropriate. If you have an exhaust fan in the bathroom, use it to get rid of moisture and chemical cleansers from the air; if not, consider having one installed. If you have a gas oven, install a hood fan that will direct the fumes outside when you cook.
You should also declare your home a dry zone: humidity encourages mold growth, and most molds have nothing better to do than fill your air with irritating spores. So work at keeping the household humidity below 50%. Use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to keep the air dry, but be sure to clean them properly so they don’t grow mold of their own. Fix leaks and drips promptly, before standing water attracts moldy visitors.
Finally, protect yourself from airborne dangers by investing in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure all fuel-burning heating systems are cleaned and inspected regularly. Call a local radon testing company in your area to have your home tested. And though we shouldn’t have to tell you, we will anyway: if you smoke, quit, and ask visiting smokers to take their butts outside when they need to light up.
IN WITH: fresh flowers
There’s something about marigolds. In a series of studies done at Rutgers University, researchers compared the effect of an
unexpected gift of a bouquet of flowers with a gift of a basket of fruit and sweets or a large scented candle. In all cases, the presentation of flowers elicited a spontaneous smile, while 10% of those given the basket and 23% of those receiving the candle failed to grin. Follow-up interviews showed that only the flower-getters expressed increased positive emotion a few days later. Other studies found that someone given a single flower by a stranger was more likely to smile and initiate conversation than someone given a different gift, and that people given flowers had more positive moods even 2 weeks later.The researchers also report receiving hugs, kisses, thank-you notes, and photographs from the flower-getters, which they say never happened in their other studies, even ones in which the subjects were given gifts or monetary payment. It’s possible, they say, that our brains are hardwired to appreciate flowers, or that their combination of colors and scents affects our mood in a unique way.
OUT WITH: old electronics
Eventually, everything electronic has to be put out to pasture. Unfortunately, cell phones, computers, TVs, and other devices
that define life in the 21st century are chock-full of toxic metals like lead, mercury, beryllium, nickel, and zinc. With an
estimated 1.9 million tons of electronics discarded every year, the amount of toxic metals adds up pretty quickly. Be part of the solution by disposing of used electronics properly. Check to see if the manufacturer has a program for donating used electronics to charity or, failing that, recycling the usable components and safely eliminating the toxins. (To find a new home for an old but working computer, contact the National Cristina Foundation, cristina.org.) Your local municipality may have special collection days for computers or other electronics; the EPA maintains a list of state “recycling” centers. Some electronics retailers (like Circuit City or Best Buy) hold recycling events or host kiosks for dropping offsmall items.
IN WITH: music in your ears
The movie of your life may be more enjoyable if you add a sound track. When researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation had volunteers with back, neck, or joint pain listen to music for an hour a day, they reported less pain and depression. They also reported feeling more in control of their lives. The effect was true whether the subjects picked their own music or were given a tape chosen for its relaxing properties.
OUT WITH: something in your eye
When a particle of dust or some other annoyance finds its way onto your eyeball, resist the temptation to rub, which will just make things worse (as rubbing it in usually does). The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests you gently lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of the lower lid, and blink several times so your tears will flush out the offending speck. If that doesn’t work, keep the eye closed and get medical attention.
IN WITH: donating your blood
Although half of Americans are eligible to donate blood, only 5% do. Get on the right side of that stat by donating to a local blood bank; find one through your local Red Cross chapter (or use their online finder at givelife2.org). Get a good night’s sleep before you go and have a nutritious breakfast or lunch beforehand with iron-rich foods like red meat, fish, poultry, iron-fortified cereals, and beans. Avoid fatty foods that day; they interfere with tests that need to be done on your blood before it can be used. Drink extra water before and for a day or two afterward, to replace lost fluid. Avoid caffeine and other diuretics.
IN TO: your bed
More than half (60%) of women in America report that they’re not getting enough sleep, according to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation. The poll also found that sleep is one of the first things to go when a woman is pressed for time. If drowsiness is a drag on your day, schedule a standard bedtime and stick to it. Can’t find the time? Turn offthe TV! The poll shows that 87% of women report that they spend the hour before bed watching television, instead of retiring early.
OUT WITH: belly fat
A recent study suggests that adding resistance training to your exercise regimen and shifting your diet so it contains more protein produce a greater reduction in body fat, especially abdominal fat, than aerobic exercise plus a traditional high-carb diet. Aim for about 25% of your calorie intake from lean protein sources like low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, fish, and poultry. If you’re not exercising, talk with your doctor to come up with an exercise plan.
IN WITH: belly laughs
Hearty laughter is good for your heart. When researchers at the University of Maryland measured the blood flow of people watching a funny movie, they found that their circulation increased in a manner similar to that seen during exercise. That’s not to say you can skip your workouts and watch Seinfeld reruns instead. But adding some laughter to your day is clearly a heart-healthy prescription.
OUT WITH: hostility
Anger is bad for your airways, and not just because yelling could leave you out of breath. Recently the first study of its kind found that people who tested high for hostility also had the worst lung function—independent of smoking, asthma, or other lung-burdening factors.
If your temper tends to get the best of you, use your lungs to fight back: take a deep breath, drawing air down to your diaphragm.
Repeat slow, deep breaths while picturing a relaxing scene or
repeating a calming word. If you have serious anger issues, consider getting counseling. A licensed mental health professional may bring about significant changes in just 8 to 10 sessions. Visit the American Psychological Association (apa.org) or superpages.com to find a therapist near you.
IN WITH: hand holding
Holding hands with a sweetheart isn’t just something for couples walking down Main Street in a movie from the 1950s. You should take the hand of your loved one, too. It seems to have a calming effect on the brain. In a study done at the University of Virginia, brain scans showed that women anticipating a mild electric shock were less stressed if they were holding their husband’s hand. Holding a stranger’s hand produced a similar but weaker effect.
Rick Chillot writes about health for Prevention and other magazines.
