Top health tips aren't as obvious as usual - Jackson Clarion Ledger

It's become quite the norm to write about health ailments and receive calls from readers wanting me to diagnose them over the phone.

All I can ever do is refer them to those who hold degrees that give them the authority to diagnose.

My advice is not technical when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Some suggestions are commonly applicable to us all. The Mayo Clinic recently released its top 10 list on simple steps to improve health. They are not all obvious but depending on your health status, the tips are reasonable to achieve for most.

Here are a few in no particular order:

Forgive others: Yes, forgiving others improves mood and lowers stress. Holding on to grudges only makes life more miserable, and it certainly doesn't resolve the problem.

Get a pet: According to researchers, dog owners who have had a heart attack are more likely to be alive a year longer than if they did not have a dog. Dog owners are also less likely to be obese because of regularly walking their pets.

The researchers did not mention cats, but I hear they are great lounging buddies/stress relievers when they aren't being mischievous.

Pursue yoga and tai chi: Aerobic, strength training, core stability, flexibility and balance are types of exercises achieved through yoga and tai chi. Research shows they also help lower blood pressure and improve sleep.

Try volunteering: Nothing beats the blues like taking the focus off your own problems and lending yourself to help someone else. Volunteering promotes emotional and mental well-being.

Some of the other tips are the most common we hear about all the time - eat fruit daily, include more high-fiber foods in your diet and take daily brisk walks of at least 30 minutes .

Living a healthy, happy lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated. What I've observed is that even those constrained by health ailments tend to work harder at retaining or improving their health status.

Having a workout partner or health partner may do the trick. There's nothing like someone else holding you accountable.

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