Well, it's happened again. Another Daylight Savings weekend, another hour lost to the universe. Each year as we "spring ahead," I think of that one hour which comes and goes so easily.   

Got A Minute?  

It doesn't always have to take a great deal of time for you to make positive changes for your health.  In these suggestions offered by the Centers for Disease Control, it will take you one minute or less to help protect your health and safety. 

Here are a five simple tips to get started:

• Wash your hands.

Washing your hands has been proven to lower the risk of spreading germs and getting sick. It's best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. 

• Protect your skin.

Especially now that you'll be out more in the sun, wear sunscreen, cover up and seek shade to help lower your risk for sunburn and skin cancer. Wear insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin to protect against mosquito and tick bites.

•   Buckle up.

Make sure everyone in your car, including you, is properly restrained in safety seats or safety belts. Placing children in age and size-appropriate restraint systems lowers the risk of serious and fatal injuries by more than 50%.

And for those 'multi-taskers' out there, stop texting while driving--it is against the law; use a hands-free device if you are using your cell phone and refrain from applying make-up in the car.  Please.  

• Read food labels. 

Before you enjoy, take a minute to see how much fat, sugar, and other ingredients (chemicals) are in the product you are about to consume.  Note what the 'standard serving size' is to make sure you don't eat more calories than you think you're getting.

• Make an appointment.

Whether you need a routine check up or are due for that test you were supposed to have two years ago, don't put it off any longer. Make the appointment now.  OK, sure, it will probably take more than a minute, but aren't you worth every second?