Page 7 - Boca Exposure - August '23

Boca Exposure, Page 7
Healthy Answers – A Guide To Healthy Living:

ʽHow Well Are You Living?’

By Dale Brown, B.S., People sometimes blame genetics on longevity, but as older adults may experience changes in life, such
M.A., C.E.C. Dale is a that’s only partially true. Less than 20 percent of how long as retirement, that can lead to feelings of isolation and
motivational speaker who the average person lives is based on heredity. So if your loneliness.
has spent many years as a ancestors lived to be 100, don’t assume you will too. The Having a sense of purpose is worth up to seven years
Certified Life Coach and has fact is that the other 80 percent of your life span is actually of extra life expectancy. It contributes to a feeling of
written numerous articles up to you. We all have the ability to make lifestyle changes well-being and adds to a positive outlook on life. Friends
and e-books relating to that will affect not just how long we live, but how well. can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life. They
self-improvement and ways The aging process brings with it physical and mental offer support, encouragement and motivation to pursue
to build a high-performance changes that are relatively inevitable. However, if you new hobbies and interests, or to take on new challenges.
team. She is the author of make changes to your habits it can have a significant Make family and friends a priority. With a limited
the book, “Small Steps... impact on your life span and quality of life. There are amount of time and energy, it becomes increasingly
Big Changes: The Personal many living examples of individuals in other parts of the important to focus on what truly matters. This may mean
Stories of a Life Coach.” Her education and years of world who refuse to give in to growing old as an excuse spending time with loved ones, pursuing meaningful
experience in physical fitness and training of elite athletes to becoming lethargic and unfit. What’s their secret? activities or prioritizing self-care. This goes hand in hand
has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge in many health- How are you doing? What’s your lifestyle look like? with being in a committed relationship, showing love and
related areas. The following introduces a new approach Here are the major healthy habits that have been found to attention to your children and grandchildren and keeping
to Brown’s series of columns devoted to many topics that be key to increasing longevity. your aging loved ones near to you.
deal with the mind/body connection and the importance “Stop eating when your stomach is 80 percent full.” When setting priorities, reflect on what brings you
of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire resident, can Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, joy and a sense of fulfillment. Try to make intentional
be reached at dalebrown@lovingmondays.com. whole grains and lean proteins can reduce your risk of choices that align with those values. Let go of certain
such chronic diseases as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. obligations or commitments that are no longer fulfilling
It seems every time I turn on the TV there is some Limit meat to once weekly and only a small portion no or necessary and exchange them for new experiences that
commercial on drugs. Each one is for something different: larger than your fist. Snacking on nuts, about a handful a bring meaning and purpose to your life.
eczema, asthma, cardio vascular disease – the list goes on. day, can add an extra two to three years of life expectancy. The secret of longevity is no mystery; the choice is up
The ending is always the same. Ask your health provider about Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health, to you. It’s never too late to start. Major improvements in
(drug name), and let’s not forget the side effects. That alone is boost immunity, and improve mental health. No matter health can be restored by changing a few things you do
enough to keep you from taking the medicine in the first place! how little or how much you use your body, just keep every day.
Did you know that the United States has a lower life moving every day. Walk, take the stairs, and use your
expectancy compared to many other developed countries? arms and legs, get up off your chair, just move!
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the Managing stress through practices such as meditation,
average life expectancy in the United States is 76.1 years, yoga, or mindfulness can reduce the risk of chronic diseases
which is lower than Canada (81.7 years), Japan (84.6 and improve overall health. Getting enough quality sleep is
years), and Australia (83.3 years). The United States also also important for maintaining optimal health and reducing
has higher rates of such chronic diseases as diabetes, heart the risk of chronic diseases. Find ways to calm your nerves,
disease and obesity. leave the workday behind you, put your cell phone down,
These startling statistics beg the question, why? What turn your computer off and enjoy some quiet time.
are we Americans doing wrong? Millions of dollars are Friendships are even more important as we age, for
thrown away trying to find medicines to solve all of our several reasons. First, social connections have been
health problems, rather than finding ways to prevent linked to better mental health, including reduced rates
illness in the first place. of depression and anxiety. This is particularly important

Comprehensive, Compassionate

Cancer Care

• Dedicated Oncology Patient Navigator
• Multi-specialty cancer screening and biopsy services
• Comprehensive and minimally invasive Surgical Oncology program
• Oncology Private Rooms and Surgical Suites
• Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences

At Delray Medical Center, our board-certified physicians, Oncology
Nurse Navigator and dedicated oncology nurses work at the forefront of
To talk to an research and technology to bring patients new and innovative treatment
Oncology Nurse methods and access to clinical trials and research—including Palm
Beach County’s only Proton-Therapy Center. With minimally invasive
Navigator, scan robotic surgical options, you can find hope at Delray Medical Center. 5352 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach
the QR code delraymedicalctr.com
above or call Oncology Specialties Thoracic/Lung / Colorectal / Prostate / Gynecology /
866.631.2265. Endocrine Hepatopancreaticobiliary / Neurosurgery / Cardio-Oncology