It’s great to be back at work seeing my patients for all of their medical needs. Whether you need a check up or want to discuss a niggle in your toe, be sure to pop by and see me in clinic.
For clinic locations and appointment times please head over to drnora.com
Over 1 million Australians suffer from Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and weak and are more likely to fracture. This can be prevented by exercise and ensuring a good intake of calcium and vitamin D.
Exercising regularly can help achieve greater peak bone mass than those who don’t. For most people, bone mass peaks in the third decade of life, after that time we can begin to loose bone.
The best exercises to help gain bone mass are weight bearing and resistance exercises. These include walking, jogging, climbing stairs, dancing and lifting weights. It is recommended to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week.
So if you imagine your bones as a bank, the more regular exercise you put in the less risk of osteoporosis you’ll have in the future.
Whether you’ve recently welcomed a new little miracle or depend on yourself, it’s very important to keep an eye on you. Often we get consumed with others or chores and neglect our own health. Be sure to make time for yourself even if its just a short walk in the fresh air.
Research has shown that fresh air helps to digest food more effectively, improve blood pressure and the immune system and have a positive impact on mental health.
Mindfulness helps to improve our concentration and reduce ruminating thoughts that can lead to stress.
The key is to focus only on the present moment and not get lost in your thoughts, for example, concentrate on what’s happening around you, what can you hear or feel. You could get into a habit of doing this every day whilst you’re brushing your teeth.
Researchers have shown that practicing mindfulness helps to reduce anxiety and depression and that when you train your brain to be mindful you are actually changing the structure of your brain.
Based on the Chinese Zodiac, it’s the year of the Rabbit. Legend has it that those born in this year are confident and strong, always moving towards their goals despite any negativity given to them.
These all sound like excellent traits that perhaps we should all take note of.
If you were born in the year of the Rabbit do you have these traits?