Aerobic exercise
Learning Center
Applying sunscreen? Don't be stingy
Most people use sunscreen too sparingly. If you use sunscreen generously and frequently, a bottle of sunscreen shouldn't last long. Generally, a liberal application is 1 ounce (30 milliliters) — the amount in a shot glass — to cover exposed parts of the body. You might need to apply more, depending on your body size. If you have a 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle, you'll use about one-fourth of it during one application.
Are you a step ahead of athlete's foot?
The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in a warm and wet environment. To stay a step ahead of it, follow these tips: 1. Wear well-ventilated shoes that allow your feet to breathe. 2. If your feet get very sweaty, change your socks twice a day. 3. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.
Bad breath? Drink more water
If your morning breath seems to last all day, you may not be drinking enough water. Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away food particles and bacteria, which helps keep bad breath at bay. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (again, sugarless) can help, too. If you have chronic dry mouth, your dentist or doctor may recommend an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
Banish back pain
Back pain is a common complaint. In most cases, you can take steps to prevent back pain. Try these: 1. Exercise regularly. 2. Practice good posture. 3. Use proper lifting techniques. 4. Sit in chairs that support your lower back. 5. Maintain a healthy weight.
Buying athletic shoes? Check your arch
Athletic shoes should be tailored to your arch type (high arch, neutral arch, low arch). Your arches play an important role in how you adapt to various surfaces as you walk. But there is no one "best shoe" for a particular foot type, and comfort and proper fit should be the main criteria you use.
Do you have a living will?
Life-threatening situations can happen to anyone, so it's important to have a living will or other advance directive. These documents spell out your preferences regarding medical treatments you would or would not want to keep you alive. You can also outline your preferences for other medical decisions, such as pain management or organ donation. By planning ahead, you can get the medical care you want and save your family from having to make tough decisions in a crisis.
Don't let your tots burn
When you head outside for family fun this summer, be sure to protect small children from burns. Keep sunblock handy and protect against other burn hazards: 1. Keep little ones away from grills, fire pits and campfires. 2. Don't let children play with or near fireworks or sparklers. 3. Check children's car seats for hot straps or buckles. These can heat up quickly in a car parked in direct sunlight.
Exercising? Take it up a notch
Want to get the most out of your workouts? Try interval training! This simply means alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of lighter activity. Take walking. If you're in good shape, try incorporating short bursts of jogging into your regular power walks. If you're less fit, alternate leisurely walking with periods of faster walking. (For example, if you typically walk outdoors, walk faster between certain mailboxes, trees or city blocks.) The more vigorously you exercise the more calories you'll burn, even if you increase intensity for just a few minutes at a time.
Fall prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls
Have you ever tripped down the stairs? Slipped on a rug? It may seem silly, but falls are nothing to take lightly. Here are tips to fall-proof your home: 1. Keep electrical cords out of walking paths. 2. Securely fasten carpet, rugs and carpet runners to the floor. 3. Keep walkways and stairways free of clutter. 4. Use nonslip mats in the bathtub or shower.
Focus on fit when shoe shopping
To find shoes that fit properly, try these tips: 1. Have your feet measured. Shoe size can change as you age. 2. Ask the salesperson to measure both feet. If one foot is larger than the other, try on a pair that fits your larger foot. 3. Shop for shoes later in the day after you've been walking for some time, when your feet are at their largest.
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