Page 19 - Florida Sentinel 9-25-15 Edition

Health
Toxic Friendships Or Relationships
It may be time to make sure people in your life are adding to it, in- stead of taking away from it. Check for signs: They are needy, you avoid them, there’s always conflict, friendship whiplash is the norm, and trust is lost.
Friends share themselves and their lives, but if you meekness is taken for weakness, it may be wise to change your circle of friends. Fol- low your instinct and do what’s best for you... mentally and physically.
Pack Light:
3 Reasons To Put Your Purse On A Diet
While
oversized
bags are
stylish and
conven-
ient, they
can pose
some serious health risks.
Here are three health issues associated with carrying a heavy bag and three ways you can fix them.
1. Uneven posture. Most women carry their purse with the hand they write with, which is understandable. Over time though, one shoulder can be- come slightly higher than the other – and you don’t want that! To fix this, alternate sides.
2. Muscle strain. Carrying a too-heavy bag can cause stiff- ness in your back, shoulders, neck and even headaches. The solution? Lighten your load by only packing what you need. Before placing each item in your purse, ask yourself: “If I left this behind, would I panic?” If the answer is no, leave it at home.
3. Scoliosis. Scoliosis is a risk, especially if you have soft bones. For those who don’t know, scoliosis is when the spine curves sideways. Again, it’s important to not carry your bag on the same side every. Sin- gle. Day. Switch it up! To keep your spine erect, Vonda Wright, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, suggests keeping your abs engaged (like they tell you to do in yoga and Pilates).
3 Signs You May Be Consuming Too Much Fiber
Fact: Most people don’t get enough fiber.
So, when the doctor says you’re not getting enough fiber, what do you do? In- crease your intake, of course! But it’s possible that you could be overdoing it in hopes mak- ing your doctor happy.
Fiber is great (keeps you fuller longer!), but like with everything else in life, there can be too much of a good thing. And if you eat a lot of fruits and veggies (as you should), it can be easy to ex- ceed the recommended daily intake.
Here are signs that you’re getting too much fiber in your diet.
1. Bloating. Consuming the right amount of fiber should keep your bowels mov- ing, so if your stomach is bloated, then you’re probably
getting too much.
2. Going to the bath- room too often. Is fiber sup- posed to keep you regular? Absolutely, but if you’re mak- ing multiple trips to the bath- room, then it’s time to cut back. Diarrhea can be another sign that you’re overdoing it with the fiber.
3. Constipation. When increasing your fiber intake, it’s best to do so gradually. If not, you can become consti- pated, which can be just as un- pleasant as diarrhea.
So, essen- tially, don’t eat too much fiber in one sitting and make sure you drink plenty of water during the day.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-B