Use this planner to plot your screenings.
GynecologicalSee your gyno annually for an exam and STD testing.
Get screened for cervical cancer every two years.
ThyroidAsk a general practitioner to check your neck for thyroid enlargement every year.
PhysicalHave your blood pressure measured every two years and your cholesterol every five.
BreastGet a clinical breast exam yearly.
Guidelines are under debate, but the American Cancer Society advises getting a mammogram annually, starting at 40.
EyeIf you wear glasses or have other vision problems, see an eye doctor every two years.
February
1.
(Measure yours now.)
Sweat outside.When it’s chilly, your body expends more energyand burns more caloriesto retain heat.
Dance indoors: Thirty minutes can torch 200 calories.
Keep it to one a day like this festive drink from Jennifer Iserloh ofSkinnyChef.com.
Irish Eyes Are Smiling Cosmo
Mix Chartreuse, water, grape juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker.
Add ice cubes and shake.
Pour into a martini glass and serve immediately.
Pop initiate the window and turn on a fan.
On countertopsMany chemicals in household cleaners are not tested for effects on health and environment.
Try Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner, which uses a naturally derived disinfectant.
MorningMost plants release their pollen around dawn, so you may want to hold your A.M. exercise session indoors.
AfternoonFeel sinus pressure building?
Use an OTC allergy pill containing loratadine (such as Claritin), which won’t make you drowsy.
EveningLeave jackets and your shoes by the front door to avoid tracking pollen through your house.
NightSleep with windows closed (and the AC on, if needed) to shut out allergens.
SunburnsRepeated burns damage skin’s DNA, increasing your risk for skin cancer.
Apply SPF 30 sunscreen every two hourseven when it’s cloudy.
Foot injuriesFlip-flops are a warm-weather staple, but they offer little protection or support.
Save them for the sand and wear sturdier soles on streets.
Heat exhaustionStay cool in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, which doesn’t trap hot air next to your body.
And avoid alcohol (a notorious dehydrator) from noon to 4 P.M., when temps soar.
Rip currentsSwim at least 100 feet away from jetties and piers, where permanent rip currents often exist.
And stick to lifeguard-protected beaches.
Don’t let these common mood wreckers spoil your steamy summer romance!
Talk to your doc: Swapping your meds may help bring back the love.
Body hang-upsObsessing over your looks only dampens your desire to show them off.
“Healthy changes bring confidence, making you feel more sexual.”
SinglehoodGive yourself a hand.
“Engaging in regular self-pleasure will make your body crave sex more,” Rapini says.
(Hey, all you gals in a monogamous relationshipthe same goes for you!)
Forgo fast food.Produce and whole grains provide nutrients for a strong immune system.Find recipes now.
upgrade your vaccinations.Some are required months in advance; get stuck early.
Pack some antidiarrheal meds and laxatives to be safe.
Build in buffer days.
And isn’t that the whole point?
Good news: Video games aren’t just a fun escape.
TemptationThe almost-empty bowl of cookie batterDistractionFill it with water or douse it with salt.
TemptationHors d’oeuvre trays on paradeDistractionStrike up a convo with a cute guy.
You won’t stuff your face if you’re flirting.
TemptationBaked goods at the officeDistractionFind a new route around the sugar bounty.
“Your coworkers share what they don’t want to wear on their hips!”
They say, “We need your donation.
They say, “You’re supposed to spend the holiday at our house.
It reassures them it’s not personal, McPherson says.
They say, “You have to work late.
As long as you finish tasks on time, when you do them should be negotiable.
Then ring in another new year as a healthier, less-stressed you!
Photo Credit: Coliena Rentmeester
