60-Second Health Boosters
You don’t need gobs of time to improve your health. Just a minute will do
by Candy Sagon, AARP The Magazine, June/July 2014
-
Image Source/Getty Images
Kick Off Your Shoes
En español l Not in your bedroom, though — at the front door. Experts say it keeps you from tracking in allergen-loaded soil and pollen that can aggravate allergies and asthma. (Plus, it keeps your floors cleaner.) Take a minute to view this slideshow and discover more ways to improve your health in only a minute.
1 of 10 -
Gallery Stock
Give Someone a Squeeze
A 10-second hug lowers blood pressure by increasing the feel-good hormone oxytocin and lowering the stress chemical cortisol, according to a new study.
2 of 10 -
Anne Menke/Trunk Archive
Remember Your Feet
The tops of your toes — as well as the tips of your ears and the back of your neck — tend to get burned frequently, so be sure to slather sunscreen on these places.
3 of 10 -
Anthony Lee/Gallery Stock
Savor a Slice
Of cucumber, that is. Pressed to the roof of your mouth for 90 seconds, it can eliminate bad breath by increasing saliva, experts say.
4 of 10 -
Istock
Stick Out Your Tongue, Then Scrape It
This not only helps reduce bad breath, it also protects against gum disease, colds and cavities, according to several studies.
5 of 10 -
Istockphoto
AARP Offer: Healthy Living Tips and News
Live life to the fullest with tips, tools and news on healthy living.
Join AARP today and save on health and wellness products and services6 of 10 -
Marcus Nilsson/Trunk Archive
Drink Your Watermelon
A tall glass of watermelon juice can relieve muscle soreness because of the melon’s high levels of an amino acid called L-citrulline. Just be sure to store your watermelons at room temperature. A Department of Agriculture study found room-temperature watermelons had twice the levels of vitamin A and 20 percent more lycopene. Once it’s cut, refrigerate it.
7 of 10 -
Istock
Go Red
Top your cereal or yogurt with those sweet little berries that pack a big fiber punch, ranking them highest in fiber among fruits. A cup contains 8 grams of dietary fiber, more than one-third of your daily need. Getting enough fiber helps your digestive health, protects against heart disease and staves off hunger between meals.
8 of 10 -
Istock
For Ketchup, Go Organic
Improve that grilled burger with organic ketchup. Department of Agriculture researchers compared lycopene levels in 13 brands and found that organic brands contain as much as three times the amount of the cancer-fighting phytochemicals as nonorganic brands — probably because they’re made with riper dark tomatoes.
9 of 10 -
Getty Images10 of 10
You May Also Like
- 12 foods that sabotage sleep
- Social Security changes in 2014
- Quiz: What problems do low-income seniors face?
- More health information you can use
Visit the AARP home page every day for great deals and for tips on keeping healthy and sharp