Bartlett Regional | HouseCalls | Early Spring 2017

So healthy together You can find healthy recipes to share with family and friends at www.bartletthospital .org/healthyrecipes . Habits can be contagious You share dinner with your kids, TV time with your spouse and lunches out with co-workers. And without realizing it, you may be sharing your health habits (or lack thereof) with those close to you. Research suggests that the habits— whether healthy or unhealthy—of those around us can influence our own habits. And our choices, including the foods we eat and the way we spend our leisure time, are likely to have a subconscious but significant impact on our friends and loved ones as well. So, in the spirit of spreading good health, why not make sure the habits you’re sharing will benefit everyone in your circle of health? Try these ideas from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Make exercise a team effort. Let’s face it—we’re all much less likely to blow off a workout if someone is waiting for us. So make exercise dates with a friend, your spouse or your kids. You’ll be able to enjoy each other’s company and improve your health at the same time. If a little healthy competition is what motivates you to stay active, set up a video game fitness tournament. Band together to shed unwanted pounds. You might arrange a friendly weight-loss competition at work. Or you and a friend may decide to keep food journals. Sharing that information can help you both stay account- able for your food choices. Kick the habit collectively. It can be extremely difficult to quit smoking if those around you are still lighting up. Recruit your smoking buddies to set a group quit date. You can visit each other’s homes to be sure all lighters, ashtrays and ciga- rettes are tossed out. Your fellow quitters will be an invaluable source of support. Create a healthy food contest. For family meals and friendly gatherings, make it a challenge to plan a menu that is both healthy and satisfying. Share meal and recipe ideas with friends. www.bartletthospital.org 13