mom healthWhen it comes to health, we take care of our kids, our husbands, our parents and even our dogs. But how much time do we spend taking care of us?

I know I am way overdue for a doctor's visit because I've had a bad cold for two weeks. I just don't have time.

The statistics say that I'm not alone. But I've got some tips to help us all take better care of our health.

 

Sambucol, the makers of a homeopathic cold remedy called black elderberry extract, had some interesting statistics on the average adult and their own health.

  • 3 in 4 adults do not make health a top priority.
  • 50 percent of us say we do not get enough exercise.
  • People with children, 49 percent, are less likely to get enough sleep.
  • 23 percent are worried that we don't get the right nutrients from our food.
  • 27 percent of women vs. 18 percent of men say they feel run down.

 

Here are 5 tips for taking better care of our health from Dr. Claire Wheeler, a Fellow in the Dr. Andrew Weil training program for physicians at the University of Arizona.

  1. Take a break. Many of us choose to "push through" times when we feel tired and under the weather. Usually, that's a signal from the immune system that you may be fighting off an infection.
  2. Don't crash diet. Cold and flu season is not a good time to start a restrictive diet.
  3. Think Positively. If you wake up in a bad mood, your stress hormone levels will be elevated before your feet even hit the floor, making you more vulnerable to the germs you're exposed to all day long.
  4. Get Plenty of Exercise. According to Dr. Wheeler, exercise helps keep stress hormone levels in check, which can help strengthen immunity.
  5. Drink Plenty of Water. When you're not getting enough water, toxins build up and strain immunity.

As a busy mom, do you take time to take care of your health?