This is a mixed list of the good, the bad and the obvious. Some of these ideas have been covered, others are less common.  People always want to know how to avoid needing to see a doctor. This list is a good start.  Don’t underestimate the effect of the little things in life. I have a four page handout detailing these and other health issues.

Do

• Exercise, eat right and get enough sleep (duh!)
  
  
• Become ambidextrous. Learn to use both hands whenever possible. Creating too much of a dominate side creates asymmetry in your muscle tone and flexibility. This imbalance is often an underlying factor in a variety of conditions. Also, spreading the physical demands evenly across the body minimizes wear and tear and can prevent repetitive stress injuries.                                                                                                    
• Vary your movements all day; avoid repetitive action. We tend to fall in to a limited pattern of movements, even those of us that are active and exercising. It’s important to maintain a wide range of motions and activities for many of the same reasons listed in the ambidextrous paragraph above.
  
  
• Yoga: Simply the best thing to do for yourself. It promotes many of the things we have discussed; balance, alignment,  flexibility, breathing, strengthening and diversity of movement.
  
  
• Drink plenty of water.  We’ve  heard this before, but many still don’t do it.
  
  
• Learn to breathe properly: Deep yet relaxed breaths into the abdomen. Oxygen is the most important component of life, more than food or water, yet many of us severely compromise our body of this vital element.

Don’t

• Carry heavy bags over one shoulder.  The adverse affect on your muscular system is profound. Here in New York, this is one of the primary obstacles in maintaining a balanced body.
  
  
• Sit cross-legged for an extended time. This will contribute to a dysfunctional and rotated pelvis by asymmetrically stressing the sacro-iliac joints.
  
  
• Stand with weight shifted to one leg.  Same issue as above, but more problematic since the entire weight of the body is being imposed unevenly on a very crucial region of the body.
  
  
• Run/jog on asphalt or any hard surface.  The impact on the ankles, knees, hips and spine is trouble in the long-term. If you are a runner, try running on natural grass or soft, even surface whenever possible.
  
  
• Sleep on your stomach or in a contorted position.  Keep in mind, you’re in bed for several hours. The physical impact of having your head turned or your hips twisted for such a lengthy time can undermine the body’s balance and symmetry.