Jewish World Review April 11, 2003 / 9 Nisan, 5763
BODYLESSONS: Putting friendships on the back burner may hurt your health
By Judi Sheppard Missett
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
Scientific evidence is emerging of the importance of friendships to our general
health. Individuals with a supportive network of friends are less likely to have high
blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar, according to the school of
medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Another study at UCLA
indicates that interaction with friends keeps your mind sharp.
Unfortunately, many modern-day pressures make maintaining friendships a low
priority for women. The responsibilities of careers and family, combined with the
distance that often separates friends today, make it difficult to carve out time to
nurture these important relationships. In addition, the "superwoman'' syndrome of
the 1980s and 1990s has prevented many women from reaching out to others when
they could use a hand -- something we did much more readily in decades past.
Together these subtle societal changes may be taking a toll on our health.
But you can hold on to valuable friendships, and gain all the benefits they offer, by
using the following ideas:
Make an extra effort to stay in touch. Write reminders on your calendar to call
friends, to plan a get-together or to visit one of your former social hot spots,
whether it's the neighborhood sewing club, fitness class or pub.
Set up a perpetual get-together -- a monthly potluck dinner and book club, a
weekly movie night, bike ride or hike. With a set time and date, your time with
friends won't fall by the wayside.
Use e-mail to stay in touch. When distance makes face-to-face meetings
impossible, connect with one another through quick e-mails that share tidbits about
your day. With today's technology, you can instantly send pictures and greeting
cards.
When you need some help, pick up the phone and call a friend or neighbor.
You'd be surprised how many people would be happy to lend a hand. After all, if
you received a call from a friend, wouldn't you be eager to help if you could?
Make a list of the most important people in your life outside of your immediate
family. Then commit to making contact with them at least twice a year, more often
if they live close and if your schedule allows.
Work out together. Exercise is something you need on a regular basis. Why not
do it as a group? You can begin a fitness program with current friends, or join a
class or health club and make new ones. Working out with friends can keep you
motivated and make exercise more enjoyable.
Try adding this lunge step to your other favorite dance moves for a 20- to 30-minute
cardiovascular workout. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width
apart and your toes slightly turned out. Take a step to your right as you move into
a small lunge, reaching your arms to the right and turning your shoulders slightly to
the right as well. Press up out of the lunge, and stretch your legs, lifting
tall and reaching your arms further to the right.
Repeat the movements to other side, and continue alternating eight to 10 times
until you are ready to switch to another move. The down-up motion will work your
leg muscles and increase the intensity of this movement. Be sure to keep your
shoulders relaxed throughout your workout, and tighten your abdominal muscles to
support your lower back.
Judi Sheppard Missett is CEO of Jazzercise Inc., an international
aerobic-dance instruction company.
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