Create Your List for De-Stressing

It may seem sort of silly, but we Americans really need help relaxing, and I don't mean plopping down on the sofa with a bladder buster sized slurpee.  With all the violence and suspense we're consuming, we're likely to feel more hyped up after watching TV than we did before we turned it on.

Instead, keep a list on hand of things you could do to help you calm down - both in an urgent situation, like traffic, and at the end of the day.  You don't have to wait until your twice yearly vacation to kick back a little.  In fact, taking 10 minutes here or there throughout your busy day can be very refreshing and may just lower your blood pressure, improve your mood, and clarify your thinking.  (I'm not making any promises for your skin.)

Make a list of three things you could do to:

• Express your creativity
• Work in some exercise
• Learn something new
• Nourish yourself
• Reconnect with others
• Tap into your wisdom/higher power
• Relax in a life affirming way

Consult this list on a regular basis.  In fact, schedule some time to do at least two of these things for yourself everyday, and see if your day doesn't seem a little bit easier.

Oh, and no feeling guilty for putting yourself first.  You'll be less grumpy and more productive for it too.

       

Most of us know that we should be brushing and flossing twice a day and seeing our dentist for a check up twice a year.  But if you're like me, you don't always adhere to the rules. 

It turns out that there's more at stake than just our pretty smiles if we don't practice good oral hygiene.  In addition to dental loss, pain, chronic infection, and periodontitis (inflammation of the gums), poor dental care puts us at risk for heart disease and stroke.  So, if you want to keep your heart and brain healthy, go see your dentist.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with chronically inflamed gums are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease.  Studies also show that patients who experienced a stroke are more likely to show signs of chronic dental infection.  What's more worrisome, you can have chronic gum disease and be unaware of it, underscoring the need to see your dentist regularly for evaluation.  He or she will also examine you for early signs of cancer of the mouth at the same time.  Incidentally, did you know that you don't have to be a smoker or heavy drinker to get oral cancer?

It is unclear at this point if treating inflamed gums reduces your risk of a heart attack, but any reason you can give yourself to floss your teeth before bed every night is a good one.  Floss, People, Floss!  (and see your dentist)