foxfieldco
10-22-2004, 04:12 PM
Weight Watchers eTools article of the week: Break Free from Bad Habits
~~ Get in the Habit of Success
It's 7:59 p.m. and your favorite television program is about to start. Now all you need is your nightly scoop of chocolate ice cream and your evening is complete. But have you considered how this evening routine may be affecting your weight-loss plan?
You might think that one scoop of ice cream a night is no big deal, or consider it a way to unwind after a rough day. But if you've grown into the habit of thinking that ice cream and prime time go hand-in-hand, the truth is you're probably not even enjoying that ice cream anymore – it probably just feels like part of your schedule. But a habit is just that – a habit – and it can be hard to break. So how do you change your ways?
The Old Switch-A-Roo.
You may have heard your Leader or other Meetings Members talking about Switching, a powerful mental exercise from Weight Watchers Tools for Living, which can help you recognize and change a negative behavior. Try closing your eyes and envisioning a big mental picture of yourself eating ice cream in front of the TV. Now put a smaller picture of yourself doing a more beneficial activity (maybe working on a knitting project, or painting your nails while you watch the program), in the lower corner of your mental picture. Switch back and forth between the images four or five times, until the image of the beneficial activity remains big and bright, and the image of the old behavior has become dim and distant. You should begin to feel like that old habit is a distant memory. And in time, and with enough motivation, it can be.
Now that you've mentally prepared yourself, try actually switching the old behavior for the new one. Not only will you have resisted a bad habit, but you will probably start seeing rewards in your weight-loss efforts – not to mention in your new wool scarf or shiny pink nails!
~~ How to Stop Mindless Eating
Go ahead and take a deep breath. Greater self-awareness seems to be a key element in putting the breaks on unconscious eating.
"The more we're aware of our thoughts, feelings and actions during the day, the more in control of unconscious forces we'll be," says Jeff Fine, MS, CSW, adjunct professor at New York University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. Fine proposes that we become more conscious of our physical actions in order to bridge the gap between psychology and our actual eating patterns.
Step One: Self-Awareness
"Stop, slow down and take a look," says Fine. One of his favorite time-halting methods: Sit in a comfortable position for 10 to 15 minutes a day and "watch your thoughts." Perhaps you'll uncover emotions and habits that lead you down the path to unconscious eating.
Fine suggests getting more in tune with your behaviors by trying some advanced journal keeping. Don't just record your food intake, but assess how you feel emotionally at different times of the day, too. "The very act of writing makes you more conscious," says Fine.
Step Two: Changing Your Responses
Once you start to uncover the situations that cause you to eat, it's time to do something that disrupts your robot-like responses and routines. Here are some strategies:
Resign from the Clean Plate Club (even though Mom taught you to finish every last morsel). "Think of food as medicine — or as fuel," suggests Fine, and break the habit by knowing it's okay to leave a bite or two over if you're full.
If you're compelled to grab jelly beans from the office candy jar every time you pass the kitchen, try walking a different route. Only one way to go? Then pass the kitchen with both of your hands already full (with a book, papers, a cup of water) and tell yourself you'll have your own meal or snack soon.
When a social call to a friend's house chronically turns into coffee and one too many cookies, make sure you have a satisfying snack before you go. Or suggest catching up on a walk through the park instead.
If you eat when you're stressed, create a list of ten other things you can do to address that emotion, like jumping rope, reading or playing the piano. You'll end up feeling cared for by doing something more positive for yourself.
Imagine yourself passing up those free samples given out at the supermarket by having a few rejection lines prepared. Ensure your success by not shopping on an empty stomach and by having a scrumptious but low-calorie dinner pre-planned so that you have extra incentive to stay away from those freebies.
~~ 25 Ways to Shake up Your Routine
Today could be the best day of your life. Really. You don't have to win the lottery or get a promotion, all you need to do is give your attitude a spring-cleaning — even if spring is still a couple of months away.
"Attitude is everything," says Tina Tessina, a Long Beach, California psychotherapist and author of The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty (Renaissance, 2001). "That's why it's so important to fill your life with goals and activities that you enjoy, as they will help lift your spirit."
Here are some ways to tap into your enthusiastic alter-ego.
Freshen Up Your Routine
"The biggest problem with sticking to a routine is that you risk getting caught in a rut — this causes boredom to take over your entire life," says Tessina. Instead, blow off some of your daily habits and bring a sense of freshness to each day. Try these suggestions:
Wear bright red today.
Eat breakfast in your backyard (weather permitting).
Try cooking a new cuisine, such as Vietnamese, Spanish or Cajun.
Call your partner just to say "I love you."
Splurge on flowers for the office or dining room.
Pose for a portrait by a professional photographer.
Go window shopping with a friend.
House swap with friends for a change of scene.
Wear a bold new lipstick color.
Dance in the moonlight on a balcony or in your garden.
Push two armchairs together and give your partner a foot massage while he or she reciprocates.
Think Young and Playful
"I always suggest going back to childhood, and remembering what you liked then," suggests Tessina. "Sports? Hiking? Bicycling or roller skating? Swinging on the swings? Dancing around to music? There are adult versions of all these activities. When you're doing them, notice the sights, sounds and the way your body feels, so you enjoy the moment." Try these ideas:
Choose three simple activities you liked as a child (such as watching the clouds, riding a roller coaster or making mud pies). Indulge in them all in one weekend.
Buy rain boots and jump in puddles after it rains.
Leave funny notes for your partner in his/her underwear drawer or briefcase.
Organize a weekly Pictionary or Trivial Pursuit tournament at work.
Invite friends over for takeout and a night of charades.
Relive old memories by looking through photo albums.
Take on New Challenges
Don't let fear of change, the security of habit or sheer laziness hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Here are some possible new opportunities:
Take up a hobby with a feel-good factor, such as sailing or drama classes.
Volunteer to do charity work.
Learn a skill you find appealing but a little daunting, such as upholstering or making jewelry.
Make peace with your parents.
Start your own walking club.
Write that novel or screenplay.
Go to a travel agent and organize that trek across the Himalayas or trip to Paris you've always wanted to take.
Look for a job you don't dread going to every morning.
~~ How to Banish Bad Habits
If it were easy to break bad habits, then the weight loss and smoking cessation industries wouldn't be in business. But we don't need to tell you. You know how hard it is to ditch bad habits. Just remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and, similarly, saying goodbye to a bad habit takes months. As you give it up, you need to put strategies in place to understand your compulsion and prevent a relapse. Here's how to withdraw without weakening:
Take It Slowly
Old habits die hard. And the more years you've had yours, the more time you may need to give it up. So don't do anything too suddenly. "Though the cold turkey approach can sometimes work, it's usually only successful for a minority of people," says psychologist Bregita Martin. "For the majority, it's better to learn to live without your habit in stages."
Solution: Instead of trying to get rid of your habit, aim to indulge in it less often. Once you feel like you have more control, try cutting back even more. This habit-reduction method can be successfully applied to many kinds of habits. Over time you'll be able to cut back more and more, and, eventually, stop altogether.
Identify Why You're Hooked
What's driving your habit? "Anxiety, boredom, frustration or depression are often at the heart of our longest held habits," says Martin. "If one particular emotion seems to chronically overwhelm you, maybe you should consider some counseling to examine why it's an issue and discuss some counter strategies."
Solution: Identify your triggers -- the situations, places or feelings that cause you to eat a whole box of cookies or pick at your cuticles. Write them down, listing them in order from strong to mild. Once you know why you are hooked, you can work on strategies to counter those triggers.
Avoid Temptation
You know you have to avoid unhealthy foods. But every time you go for a cappuccino with a girlfriend or to McDonald's with your kids, you can"t seem to control yourself.
Solution: "For the first few weeks of quitting, it is a good idea to avoid situations that you know will trigger your craving," say Dr. Robyn Richmond and Kathy Harris in their book Becoming a Non-Smoker. "This will give you a few weeks to build your confidence before you expose yourself to potentially risky situations."
Create New Behavior Patterns
Do you chew on your nails or reach for a cigarette whenever you're feeling stressed? How about whenever you're bored?
Solution: The next time you catch yourself in the middle of this knee-jerk response, stop and do something else — count to fifty, stretch your arms or flex your fingers. Have a small repertoire of behaviors you can use to replace the habit.
Be Prepared For Relapse
Everything was going so well, but then you had a horrible day so you cut yourself some slack. Now you're slipping back into old patterns.
Solution: Don't go down the self-defeatist road of thinking, "Oh well, I just can't kick it." Regard your relapse as one small step back and focus on the many forward steps you've taken. Now go into damage control. According to Richmond and Harris: "A relapse can be a momentary lapse or can be a return to your habit. But there is a way to bypass this mental tug of war. Be constructive and analyze the relapse, identifying why it happened, in what situation, how you were feeling and what you can do to prevent the same thing from happening again. Then renew your commitment to quit."
~~ What’s Your Biggest Health Misstep? (QUIZ)
Is it smoking, not exercising, having a negative attitude? Find out what missteps may be tripping you up on the road to good health — and how to get back on track.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_1.gifYour so-called best friend hurt your feelings. You get on the phone to
__ Her.
__ You need to talk this out.A mutual acquaintance to complain.
__ The local pizza takeout and order a large supreme.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_2.gifA lousy day at work is finally over, so you reach for
__ a glass of wine.
__ a cigarette.
__ your jacket — you’re going for a walk.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_3.gifWhich damages your health most?
__ never exercising.
__ carrying 5 or 10 extra pounds.
__ smoking a pack a day.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_4.gifYour favorite night out with pals revolves around:
__ taking in Mike Myers’s latest comedy.
__ poking fun of bosses and coworkers.
__ hitting happy hour.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You May Need to Find Your Footing.
Unhealthy habits — negativity, smoking, overeating — can feed off each other, damaging health and sabotaging weight loss. To get off the downward slope, take one step up — stop smoking, or start exercising, perhaps — and you’ll soon leave other bad habits in the dust.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You’re Moving in the Right Direction.
To keep from stumbling off the path, look for more positive ways to deal with problems and setbacks, such as blowing off steam through exercise. “If you get your heart pumping, you’ll increase blood flow to all parts of your body so you feel better all around — physically and mentally,” says Michael Fleming, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Practitioners.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Congratulations! You’ve Hit Your Healthy Stride.
Your upbeat attitude translates into healthy choices, and feeling good about yourself and others will likely aid your attempt toward losing or maintaining weight, says Michael Fleming, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Practitioners.
>>> ~~~ >>> ~~~ >>> ~~~
Question 1
Tackle the problem head-on and you may come to an understanding that salvages the friendship, while carping to a third party might gain you some sympathy but lead to more hard feelings. “The problem often expands when you involve others who agree that you should feel awful,” says Fleming. And never bandage hurt feelings with a binge — you’ll fret about the blown diet as well as the damaged friendship.
Question 2
You’ll best boost your spirits — and your health — with exercise like walking; exercise releases feel-good brain chemicals (endorphins) while it lowers blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides, says Fleming. You may also literally drink to your health, so long as you stop with one: Studies show that one alcoholic drink per day, several days a week, may reduce the risk of heart disease. “But if you have more than that, alcohol acts as a depressant, plus you lose the healthy effects,” cautions Fleming. But there’s no redeeming value to even a single cigarette — it raises your heart rate and increases blood pressure.
Question 3
Not all health hazards are created equal. “Even people who don’t formally exercise at least do a little walking in the course of a day,” says Fleming. “It’s relatively easy to step up your activity level — just start with 10 minutes a day.” It can be a struggle to lose several stubborn pounds, but keep in mind that being slightly overweight doesn’t pose the same health risks as true obesity, he adds. Smoking, however, presents the most serious health risks, says Fleming: “If you smoke, your biggest health priority is to stop.”
Question 4
“Laughter really is good medicine,” says Fleming. “It stimulates serotonin, a feel-good brain chemical.” But better to get your yuks at, say, a funny film than at someone else’s expense — you may regret your witty but biting words. Happy hour, too, could lead to later self-reproach because alcohol may lower your resistance to all-you-can-eat munchies.
~~ Get in the Habit of Success
It's 7:59 p.m. and your favorite television program is about to start. Now all you need is your nightly scoop of chocolate ice cream and your evening is complete. But have you considered how this evening routine may be affecting your weight-loss plan?
You might think that one scoop of ice cream a night is no big deal, or consider it a way to unwind after a rough day. But if you've grown into the habit of thinking that ice cream and prime time go hand-in-hand, the truth is you're probably not even enjoying that ice cream anymore – it probably just feels like part of your schedule. But a habit is just that – a habit – and it can be hard to break. So how do you change your ways?
The Old Switch-A-Roo.
You may have heard your Leader or other Meetings Members talking about Switching, a powerful mental exercise from Weight Watchers Tools for Living, which can help you recognize and change a negative behavior. Try closing your eyes and envisioning a big mental picture of yourself eating ice cream in front of the TV. Now put a smaller picture of yourself doing a more beneficial activity (maybe working on a knitting project, or painting your nails while you watch the program), in the lower corner of your mental picture. Switch back and forth between the images four or five times, until the image of the beneficial activity remains big and bright, and the image of the old behavior has become dim and distant. You should begin to feel like that old habit is a distant memory. And in time, and with enough motivation, it can be.
Now that you've mentally prepared yourself, try actually switching the old behavior for the new one. Not only will you have resisted a bad habit, but you will probably start seeing rewards in your weight-loss efforts – not to mention in your new wool scarf or shiny pink nails!
~~ How to Stop Mindless Eating
Go ahead and take a deep breath. Greater self-awareness seems to be a key element in putting the breaks on unconscious eating.
"The more we're aware of our thoughts, feelings and actions during the day, the more in control of unconscious forces we'll be," says Jeff Fine, MS, CSW, adjunct professor at New York University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. Fine proposes that we become more conscious of our physical actions in order to bridge the gap between psychology and our actual eating patterns.
Step One: Self-Awareness
"Stop, slow down and take a look," says Fine. One of his favorite time-halting methods: Sit in a comfortable position for 10 to 15 minutes a day and "watch your thoughts." Perhaps you'll uncover emotions and habits that lead you down the path to unconscious eating.
Fine suggests getting more in tune with your behaviors by trying some advanced journal keeping. Don't just record your food intake, but assess how you feel emotionally at different times of the day, too. "The very act of writing makes you more conscious," says Fine.
Step Two: Changing Your Responses
Once you start to uncover the situations that cause you to eat, it's time to do something that disrupts your robot-like responses and routines. Here are some strategies:
Resign from the Clean Plate Club (even though Mom taught you to finish every last morsel). "Think of food as medicine — or as fuel," suggests Fine, and break the habit by knowing it's okay to leave a bite or two over if you're full.
If you're compelled to grab jelly beans from the office candy jar every time you pass the kitchen, try walking a different route. Only one way to go? Then pass the kitchen with both of your hands already full (with a book, papers, a cup of water) and tell yourself you'll have your own meal or snack soon.
When a social call to a friend's house chronically turns into coffee and one too many cookies, make sure you have a satisfying snack before you go. Or suggest catching up on a walk through the park instead.
If you eat when you're stressed, create a list of ten other things you can do to address that emotion, like jumping rope, reading or playing the piano. You'll end up feeling cared for by doing something more positive for yourself.
Imagine yourself passing up those free samples given out at the supermarket by having a few rejection lines prepared. Ensure your success by not shopping on an empty stomach and by having a scrumptious but low-calorie dinner pre-planned so that you have extra incentive to stay away from those freebies.
~~ 25 Ways to Shake up Your Routine
Today could be the best day of your life. Really. You don't have to win the lottery or get a promotion, all you need to do is give your attitude a spring-cleaning — even if spring is still a couple of months away.
"Attitude is everything," says Tina Tessina, a Long Beach, California psychotherapist and author of The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty (Renaissance, 2001). "That's why it's so important to fill your life with goals and activities that you enjoy, as they will help lift your spirit."
Here are some ways to tap into your enthusiastic alter-ego.
Freshen Up Your Routine
"The biggest problem with sticking to a routine is that you risk getting caught in a rut — this causes boredom to take over your entire life," says Tessina. Instead, blow off some of your daily habits and bring a sense of freshness to each day. Try these suggestions:
Wear bright red today.
Eat breakfast in your backyard (weather permitting).
Try cooking a new cuisine, such as Vietnamese, Spanish or Cajun.
Call your partner just to say "I love you."
Splurge on flowers for the office or dining room.
Pose for a portrait by a professional photographer.
Go window shopping with a friend.
House swap with friends for a change of scene.
Wear a bold new lipstick color.
Dance in the moonlight on a balcony or in your garden.
Push two armchairs together and give your partner a foot massage while he or she reciprocates.
Think Young and Playful
"I always suggest going back to childhood, and remembering what you liked then," suggests Tessina. "Sports? Hiking? Bicycling or roller skating? Swinging on the swings? Dancing around to music? There are adult versions of all these activities. When you're doing them, notice the sights, sounds and the way your body feels, so you enjoy the moment." Try these ideas:
Choose three simple activities you liked as a child (such as watching the clouds, riding a roller coaster or making mud pies). Indulge in them all in one weekend.
Buy rain boots and jump in puddles after it rains.
Leave funny notes for your partner in his/her underwear drawer or briefcase.
Organize a weekly Pictionary or Trivial Pursuit tournament at work.
Invite friends over for takeout and a night of charades.
Relive old memories by looking through photo albums.
Take on New Challenges
Don't let fear of change, the security of habit or sheer laziness hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Here are some possible new opportunities:
Take up a hobby with a feel-good factor, such as sailing or drama classes.
Volunteer to do charity work.
Learn a skill you find appealing but a little daunting, such as upholstering or making jewelry.
Make peace with your parents.
Start your own walking club.
Write that novel or screenplay.
Go to a travel agent and organize that trek across the Himalayas or trip to Paris you've always wanted to take.
Look for a job you don't dread going to every morning.
~~ How to Banish Bad Habits
If it were easy to break bad habits, then the weight loss and smoking cessation industries wouldn't be in business. But we don't need to tell you. You know how hard it is to ditch bad habits. Just remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and, similarly, saying goodbye to a bad habit takes months. As you give it up, you need to put strategies in place to understand your compulsion and prevent a relapse. Here's how to withdraw without weakening:
Take It Slowly
Old habits die hard. And the more years you've had yours, the more time you may need to give it up. So don't do anything too suddenly. "Though the cold turkey approach can sometimes work, it's usually only successful for a minority of people," says psychologist Bregita Martin. "For the majority, it's better to learn to live without your habit in stages."
Solution: Instead of trying to get rid of your habit, aim to indulge in it less often. Once you feel like you have more control, try cutting back even more. This habit-reduction method can be successfully applied to many kinds of habits. Over time you'll be able to cut back more and more, and, eventually, stop altogether.
Identify Why You're Hooked
What's driving your habit? "Anxiety, boredom, frustration or depression are often at the heart of our longest held habits," says Martin. "If one particular emotion seems to chronically overwhelm you, maybe you should consider some counseling to examine why it's an issue and discuss some counter strategies."
Solution: Identify your triggers -- the situations, places or feelings that cause you to eat a whole box of cookies or pick at your cuticles. Write them down, listing them in order from strong to mild. Once you know why you are hooked, you can work on strategies to counter those triggers.
Avoid Temptation
You know you have to avoid unhealthy foods. But every time you go for a cappuccino with a girlfriend or to McDonald's with your kids, you can"t seem to control yourself.
Solution: "For the first few weeks of quitting, it is a good idea to avoid situations that you know will trigger your craving," say Dr. Robyn Richmond and Kathy Harris in their book Becoming a Non-Smoker. "This will give you a few weeks to build your confidence before you expose yourself to potentially risky situations."
Create New Behavior Patterns
Do you chew on your nails or reach for a cigarette whenever you're feeling stressed? How about whenever you're bored?
Solution: The next time you catch yourself in the middle of this knee-jerk response, stop and do something else — count to fifty, stretch your arms or flex your fingers. Have a small repertoire of behaviors you can use to replace the habit.
Be Prepared For Relapse
Everything was going so well, but then you had a horrible day so you cut yourself some slack. Now you're slipping back into old patterns.
Solution: Don't go down the self-defeatist road of thinking, "Oh well, I just can't kick it." Regard your relapse as one small step back and focus on the many forward steps you've taken. Now go into damage control. According to Richmond and Harris: "A relapse can be a momentary lapse or can be a return to your habit. But there is a way to bypass this mental tug of war. Be constructive and analyze the relapse, identifying why it happened, in what situation, how you were feeling and what you can do to prevent the same thing from happening again. Then renew your commitment to quit."
~~ What’s Your Biggest Health Misstep? (QUIZ)
Is it smoking, not exercising, having a negative attitude? Find out what missteps may be tripping you up on the road to good health — and how to get back on track.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_1.gifYour so-called best friend hurt your feelings. You get on the phone to
__ Her.
__ You need to talk this out.A mutual acquaintance to complain.
__ The local pizza takeout and order a large supreme.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_2.gifA lousy day at work is finally over, so you reach for
__ a glass of wine.
__ a cigarette.
__ your jacket — you’re going for a walk.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_3.gifWhich damages your health most?
__ never exercising.
__ carrying 5 or 10 extra pounds.
__ smoking a pack a day.
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dots_393.gif
http://cdn.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/util/qzs/num_4.gifYour favorite night out with pals revolves around:
__ taking in Mike Myers’s latest comedy.
__ poking fun of bosses and coworkers.
__ hitting happy hour.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You May Need to Find Your Footing.
Unhealthy habits — negativity, smoking, overeating — can feed off each other, damaging health and sabotaging weight loss. To get off the downward slope, take one step up — stop smoking, or start exercising, perhaps — and you’ll soon leave other bad habits in the dust.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You’re Moving in the Right Direction.
To keep from stumbling off the path, look for more positive ways to deal with problems and setbacks, such as blowing off steam through exercise. “If you get your heart pumping, you’ll increase blood flow to all parts of your body so you feel better all around — physically and mentally,” says Michael Fleming, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Practitioners.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Congratulations! You’ve Hit Your Healthy Stride.
Your upbeat attitude translates into healthy choices, and feeling good about yourself and others will likely aid your attempt toward losing or maintaining weight, says Michael Fleming, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Practitioners.
>>> ~~~ >>> ~~~ >>> ~~~
Question 1
Tackle the problem head-on and you may come to an understanding that salvages the friendship, while carping to a third party might gain you some sympathy but lead to more hard feelings. “The problem often expands when you involve others who agree that you should feel awful,” says Fleming. And never bandage hurt feelings with a binge — you’ll fret about the blown diet as well as the damaged friendship.
Question 2
You’ll best boost your spirits — and your health — with exercise like walking; exercise releases feel-good brain chemicals (endorphins) while it lowers blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides, says Fleming. You may also literally drink to your health, so long as you stop with one: Studies show that one alcoholic drink per day, several days a week, may reduce the risk of heart disease. “But if you have more than that, alcohol acts as a depressant, plus you lose the healthy effects,” cautions Fleming. But there’s no redeeming value to even a single cigarette — it raises your heart rate and increases blood pressure.
Question 3
Not all health hazards are created equal. “Even people who don’t formally exercise at least do a little walking in the course of a day,” says Fleming. “It’s relatively easy to step up your activity level — just start with 10 minutes a day.” It can be a struggle to lose several stubborn pounds, but keep in mind that being slightly overweight doesn’t pose the same health risks as true obesity, he adds. Smoking, however, presents the most serious health risks, says Fleming: “If you smoke, your biggest health priority is to stop.”
Question 4
“Laughter really is good medicine,” says Fleming. “It stimulates serotonin, a feel-good brain chemical.” But better to get your yuks at, say, a funny film than at someone else’s expense — you may regret your witty but biting words. Happy hour, too, could lead to later self-reproach because alcohol may lower your resistance to all-you-can-eat munchies.