Top 10 ways to stay healthy

When the Cleveland Browns picked LSU’s Greedy Williams in the 2019 NFL draft, they were given an “A” for the acquisition by the sportswriters at the Nashville Tennessean. But greedy isn’t always a surefire route to success. Take what’s happening in today’s health care universe.

Over a decade, your out-ofpocket expenses rose more than 53% while insurance company profits have skyrocketed. Little wonder a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 56% of Americans report worrying about and having trouble paying for medical care. Many say they forgo or delay care because of the high price of medicines and procedures. That’s not good. We hope someone or some group can implement a creative solution that protects people’s health and covers preexisting conditions.

In the meantime, taking control of your health has never been more important. So here are the 10 most effective ways (memorize them):

1. No smoking, nor second- or third-hand smoke exposure. 2. No red/processed meats. 3. No added sugars or syrups in food or drinks.

4. No excess alcohol (max one to two glasses of wine a day).

5. No sitting down for longer than 60 minutes at a stretch.

6. Yes to getting 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week.

7. Yes to strength-building activities for 30 minutes twice a week and doing 20 jumps daily.

8. Yes to seven to nine servings of fruits and veggies daily.

9. Yes to managing stress with meditation or deep breathing.

10. Yes to seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare. com.