• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss daily (you may not see
immediate benefits, but you’ll be
saving your gum health in the long
run).
• Eat a balanced diet to get the proper
nutrients your teeth and gums need
to stay strong.
• Drink lots of water!
• Quit smoking; it is one of the most
significant risk factors in developing
gum disease.
• Replace your toothbrush every
three months.
NO BONES ABOUT IT
Is your job a pain in the neck? If
you work in a sedentary environment,
your response is probably yes.
Musculoskeletal pain is caused by
excessive sitting throughout the day,
leading to slouching, hunching over,
and muscles in your body going without
use for hours. Studies are finding that
although a regular workout routine
helps, it won’t combat the constant
weight on your rump. Although some
offices are moving toward healthier
options, such as convertible, stand up/
sit down desks, or treadmill desks (if you
have the skill to think and walk at the
same time), most of us have to face our
chairs every day. What a pain!
There are ways to prevent the negative
effects, such as stiffness and poor
circulation, of constant sitting.
• Get up and move! If you find
yourself sitting for extended periods
of time, you need to break the
habit. Schedule an alarm for every
30 minutes to get up and take a lap
around your office. Manage your
time effectively by going to pick
up your paper from the printer
or grabbing a glass of water. Even
better? Visit a co-worker to talk
about a project instead of sending an
email.
• Establish proper sitting habits. Keep
your back straight, feet at 90 degrees,
and eyes level with the top of your
computer screen. Make sure your
shoulders aren’t hunched when
resting your elbows on your desk to
type.
• Stretch in place. Adding stretching
to your daily routine is beneficial
for anyone. Stand up and do a few
stretches at your desk to get your
muscles loosened up and moving.
Feeling spunky? Add a few jumping
jacks in to get your heart rate
pumping for some extra energy.
• Realize how much sitting you do.
Sitting for eight hours at your job has
negative effects on your body, but
going home and sitting on the couch
for the rest of the night doubles
those effects, increasing cause for
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