Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Early Spring 2021

4 LIVE smart | Early Spring 2021 Spring is often thought of as a time of renewal—especially after the dark days of winter. This spring, take the time to refresh your commitment to a safe and healthy life with the following tips from the National Safety Council (NSC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other safety and wellness experts. Spring into wellness Test your in-home alarms The switch to Daylight Saving Time is a good reminder to check and maybe change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the NSC, smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom and in the common areas on every floor in a home. Carbon monox- ide detectors should be installed outside each bedroom and on every floor of a home. This is also a good time to check the outdoor vents of your gas appliances to make sure they are clear of snow or debris. Plan your (edible) garden Planning and planting a garden of edible plants is a great way to get exercise and eat healthfully. You can grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in your back yard—think broccoli, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries and melons, to name a few. Don’t have a back yard or one large enough for a garden? Consider growing produce in con- tainers or joining a community garden. Adding fruits and vegetables to your meals can lower your risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and some types of cancer. And the fiber found in produce can help regulate your gut. Being outdoors and working in a garden can be good for your mental health too. According to the NIH, some studies have found that being active outdoors in nature can improve mood and lessen anxiety.