| If there is a sad reality about all relationships, | | | | prostrate checked (prostate cancer is the most |
| especially marriages, it is simply this: When you let go | | | | common type of cancer among men). Early detection |
| of a relationship, or neglect one, you are sure to lose | | | | may save your life. |
| it . . . in time. | | | | If you or your partner experiences a difficult |
| Sadly, many people neglect their health, and it only | | | | emotional setback or loss, get some counseling. It |
| hurts their marriage. Stress, poor eating habits, hectic | | | | could save your marriage. Everyone can benefit from |
| schedules, a lack of sleep and other factors often | | | | counseling now and then. |
| contribute to the decline of one's health and his/her | | | | Six: Customize a Realistic Stress Management |
| relationships. | | | | Program That Works For You |
| If you want to enjoy the best possible marriage, you | | | | Remember . . . stress is a silent killer. |
| must give your marriage and yourself the best | | | | But if you have a stress busting system, you'll be |
| possible care. And you can only be at your best as a | | | | able to deal with the stress you carry around with |
| spouse, partner and friend if you are doing your best | | | | you a little at a time. You won't allow stress to build |
| to take care of yourself! | | | | up. |
| Seven Dynamite Tips | | | | De-stress on a daily basis, and you will keep yourself |
| The benefits of keeping yourself in excellent health | | | | healthy and strong. |
| are many: you'll feel better, you and your spouse will | | | | My personal plan involves going to the mountains |
| have more fun together, you'll both remain youthful | | | | now and then to clear my head. I love going, and so |
| and energetic, while staying attractive to each other, | | | | I do it as often as I can. I exercise by hiking, biking, |
| not to mention enjoying a more vibrant romantic life. | | | | fishing and skiing. And I feel more at peace in the |
| Try these seven powerful tips for boosting your | | | | rugged and beautiful mountains. |
| physical and emotional health, and building a rock-solid | | | | If you need help, contact a professional trainer or a |
| foundation for your marriage - a marriage that will | | | | coach who can help get you on track. |
| stand the test of time and reward you and your | | | | Seven: Pamper Your Marriage |
| beloved a thousand times over. | | | | Take the time to pamper yourself and your mate. |
| One: Exercise Regularly | | | | When you're tired and stressed out, take a bubble |
| Nothing takes the place of good ole' exercise, which | | | | bath, go fishing or take the dog for a walk in the |
| supports the body in many ways, such as | | | | park. Enjoy hobbies, watch movies, relax while |
| strengthening the heart, boosting the immune | | | | listening to music. How long has it been since you've |
| system, combating stress and giving us more energy. | | | | taken a shower together or treated your partner to |
| Try exercising together. It is a great way to spend | | | | a lavish full-body massage? |
| more time together, and it will help keep you | | | | Instead of falling into a rut and leading a boring love |
| motivated to exercise. | | | | life, go on dates with your beloved often. Romantic |
| I recommend designing an exercise program that | | | | evening ideas range from preparing a gourmet meal |
| motivates both of you. Have FUN exercising, and | | | | for your partner, going to a special restaurant, |
| you'll do it more often. | | | | making a special homemade gift, sending the kids to |
| Two: Eat healthy meals | | | | the sitter's while you and your spouse watch a movie |
| A problem area for some couples . . . this is where all | | | | and spend a quiet evening at home. Surprise your |
| couch potatoes get their start: eating an unhealthy | | | | partner with a foot massage, play music and dance |
| diet or eating too much and too often. Eating on the | | | | the night away! You can think of more ideas. |
| go or stopping at fast food outlets compounds the | | | | There are countless creative ideas you can use to |
| problem. | | | | make your evening more interesting, and to get your |
| Eating a healthy diet is essential to living a good, | | | | spouse to look forward to coming home from work! |
| healthy life. Most of us need more fruits and | | | | Use your imagination and have fun! |
| vegetables in our diets. More whole grains, beans and | | | | Remember to pamper . . . and pampering means |
| nuts, and less processed food. Fresh is best. Learn to | | | | going above and beyond the call of duty. Don't just |
| prepare your nutritious food creatively, and learn | | | | spend the evening together, CELEBRATE the |
| together. | | | | evening! |
| Three: Avoid Cigarette Smoke | | | | Other Tips |
| Smoking is a tough habit to break, but you can do it. | | | | Saving more money is a wonderful way to decrease |
| It's actually easier to quit if you've tried to quit | | | | stress and invest in a worry-free future, making your |
| several times before and failed! | | | | retirement years truly special. |
| Yes, if you've failed, you are that much closer to | | | | Balancing Your Life will make you feel less stressed |
| success. | | | | and boost your immune system . . . and your |
| Clients who have come to me for smoking cessation | | | | relationships will thank you. |
| are always surprised when I tell them the more times | | | | Slowing Down and Driving More Safely will reduce |
| they have failed the better. | | | | your stress, increase your family's comfort, set an |
| By learning from your mistakes, and figuring out what | | | | example for young people and save lives. |
| went wrong last time, you can put together a | | | | Positive Change Strategies |
| smoking cessation program that actually works. | | | | 1. Talk about it with your spouse first. Get |
| Consult your doctor or other healthcare professional | | | | cooperation. |
| for assistance. Remember, too, second-hand smoke | | | | 2. Explore your options and discuss possibilities. |
| is dangerous. | | | | 3. Think creatively and do something different. |
| Four: Keep Your Weight Respectable | | | | Otherwise you'll get the same results. |
| Even mild obesity makes it more likely that one will | | | | 4. Work and decide as a team. Stand together. |
| get heart disease, have a stroke or develop diabetes. | | | | 5. Give each other plenty of TLC and lots of |
| It's a significant risk factor in developing a variety of | | | | emotional support. Be tolerant and understanding, and |
| diseases. Controlling one's weight may seem hard, but | | | | slow to judge. |
| it's no harder than being overweight and having to | | | | 6. Stop and think about your relationship potential. |
| suffer from all the consequences. | | | | Aim higher than a run-of-the-mill relationship. You can |
| Can't seem to drop the pounds? | | | | have a special and extraordinary marriage if you try. |
| You will lose weight, in time, if you follow the first | | | | 7. Be positive in discussing the need for change in |
| and second tips of this article (exercise regularly and | | | | your marriage. Don't point the finger at your spouse. |
| eat a healthy diet). Losing weight is easier when a | | | | Accept mutual responsibility for making your dreams |
| person makes lifestyle changes. These include | | | | come true. Act together to make your |
| adopting a more active lifestyle and making | | | | problem-solved future a reality. |
| permanent changes to your diet, such as eating | | | | In A Nutshell |
| smaller portions. Doing your own lawn mowing and | | | | You can improve your marriage by taking care of |
| gardening, as opposed to hiring someone to do it for | | | | your health and helping your partner to be healthy. |
| you, can help. | | | | Don't fall prey to the temptation to neglect your |
| Beware: get your spouse (and doctor) to work with | | | | health or your marriage will suffer. |
| you on this. It is very hard to lose weight if only one | | | | Follow the seven dynamite tips for strengthening |
| spouse is making dietary changes. | | | | your marriage: exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, |
| Stay with it. Just don't give up. Remember: slimming | | | | avoid cigarette smoke, keep your weight |
| down can work wonders for a marriage. | | | | respectable, get regular medical exams and |
| Five: Get Regular Medical Exams and Screenings | | | | screenings, manage your stress, and pamper your |
| Annual check-ups help detect problems early. Keep | | | | marriage. |
| tabs on your blood pressure, blood sugar, the health | | | | Follow these guidelines, stay with it and you'll soon |
| of your skin, eyes and ears. Women should have | | | | notice a big difference in your marriage! |
| regular breast cancer screenings. Men should get their | | | | |