Make a Change Mondays - Fourth Week!

Monday means a lot. It means the start of a new work week. It means the addition of new stresses and responsibilities. It means that the weekend is over and the next weekend is five long days away.

            But at CHI Health, Monday means that it’s time to make a change in order to improve your well- being.

            So without further adieu, we bring you our five health tips for “Make a Change Monday.”

1.  Make time for friendship. See your friends. Call, email, Skype. Whatever your chosen method of exchange, connect with your friends, every day.

            There is extensive research that shows a correlation between good friends and good health. There are mental health advantages and also friends can act as a stress reliever, reducing your risk for a wide variety of diseases and illnesses.

2.  Stretch.

            There are so many benefits to be gained from a good stretch, ranging from increased circulation, range of motion and energy. Stretching can improve your general posture, relieve all kinds of aches and pains, and give you a greater sense of your body’s strengths and limitations.

            One of the best ways to stretch is through the practice of yoga.

3. Share a meal. If you must eat out, then try meal sharing. Half the calories, half the guilt and half the price. Oh and when you share a meal, there’s a certain level of bonding, which as we explained is good for your health.

            This doesn’t mean split a burger and fries. Or going halves on the Great Wall of Chocolate at P.F. Chang’s– for your health, do not go look that up. No, this means split the large salad (without the fried chicken).

4.  Read.  Don’t go for what others tell you to read, go for what will make you happy. It doesn’t have to be a highly-touted classic. It can be a magazine, newspaper or a book.

            Reading can be a deeply rewarding experience, if you’re doing it for yourself. Give your mind a chance to breathe with a little escape.

5.  Pick up some cuties.... we mean the oranges! These little clementine oranges are hitting their most tasty time of the year. They are hassle-free to peel, easy to pack and make the perfect snack or dessert at any time of the day.

            Loaded with vitamin C and low on calories (around 80 calories for two oranges), cuties satisfy your sweet tooth without having to put in the extra time on the treadmill.