Listen to Your Body Cues then Act on Them

An important part of maintaining good health is to learn about your body and how your system reacts to the variety of things it encounters and experiences every day such as foods and beverages you consume, medicines you take, exercise you participate in and sleep habits. Once you have an awareness of what works for you and what does not; you can adapt your habits to what works and makes you feel at your best each day for optimum functioning.

You also want to consider the assaults on your body each day ranging from unhealthy habits you may have such as smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, over eating, skipping breakfast or meals, sleep deprivation and from situations you are not responsible for such as exposure to second hand smoke, work related exposures and concerns regarding chemicals or unhealthy air.

Here are three examples:

Skipping breakfast: Most people feel lightheaded when they skip breakfast.  (It also sets you up for overeating later in the day).  For some, skipping breakfast makes them actually faint due to low blood sugar. Fainting episodes can be extremely frightening for the person fainting as well as those around him or her.  It is also dangerous if the fall causes you to hit your head, for example, setting you up for a major traumatic injury. (More on the various causes of fainting in another post).

The bottom line: Don’t skip breakfast. If you know you oversleep and can’t eat, at least drink a glass of milk which provides protein and carbohydrate. Also have on hand either near your door, in your backpack or car, some high quality granola or protein bars to eat (after you drink some milk, eat some cheese or Greek yogurt). These bars can easily be eaten on the run and help you avoid a severe drop in blood sugar levels.

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach: Doing this can cause stomach irritation and acid reflux, as well as a high blood alcohol level which is dangerous and unsafe for yourself and others.

Bottom line: Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Eat first, or slowly take in your spirits with food. If you’re going to drink alcohol, drink in moderation and never drink and drive any type of vehicle, even if you have one drink.

Medications: If you’re on a medicine and suspect is does not agree with you or is causing reactions; allergic ones such as breathing problems, swelling of the face and, or throat, hives, or other reactions such as heart palpitations, anxiety, dizziness, or, anything you are concerned about:

Bottom line: *For any life threatening reactions such as, but not limited to,  problems breathing, swelling of the face and throat, or any other symptoms that are causing severe pain or problems, call 911 immediately. If you feel your symptoms are not life threatening, contact your doctor to discuss with him or her, the possibility of a lower dose or changing to another medication.