Fall 2008, Boost Your Health - Roper St. Francis Healthcare

2Spend Timewith People,not technologyREADING LISTGet your own book club talkingwith these insightful memoirsEat, Pray, Loveby Elizabeth GilbertNewly divorced, the authorsets out for a year of travel,seeking self-discovery inIndia, Italy, and Indonesia.(Penguin, 2007)The Measure of a Manby Sidney PoitierIn this best-selling book, theAcademy Award-winning actorwrites of family, relationships,and career. (Harper, 2007)Reading Lolita in Tehranby Azar NafisiSet in Tehran during therepressive 1990s, this memoirfocuses on a secret women’sliterary discussion group.(Random House, 2008)Better mental and physical health is onlyan arm’s reach away—to the “off” buttonon your television or computer. Peopleare spending more time than ever staringat screens for work and leisure. In fact,researchers at the University ofCalifornia-Berkeley found thatAmericans spend nine timesas many minutes watchingtelevision as they do playingsports, exercising, and doing allother leisure-time physicalactivities combined. It is adangerous habit, says boardcertified family medicine doctorTed Dunn. “Sitting in front of thetelevision slows metabolism andcan contribute to weight gain.This added weight can helpcause type 2 diabetes, high bloodpressure, and more.”Excessive screen-watching canalso impact your emotional andpsychological health. Prolonged behaviors thatisolate you from human interaction can lead tomood swings, sadness, and even clinical depression.As an alternative, Dr. Dunn suggests spending moretime with friends, family, and acquaintances.“Seemingly minor encounters with other people canlower your pulse and bloodAmericans spendnine times asmany minuteswatchingtelevision asthey do playing sports,exercising, and doing allother leisure-time physicalactivities combined.pressure while reducing stress,”he says.When you do watch TV orwork on the computer, boardcertified family medicine doctorDaniel McMahon recommendsregular breaks for stretching,and above all, walking awayafter a reasonable amount oftime. “Challenge your mind byreading or doing crosswordpuzzles,” he urges. “Thesemental exercises may delaydementia and they certainlyimprove focus, concentration,and memory skills.”24 house calls