The Best tHealth tips ever

When it comes to health, good advice abounds. But there are also lots of misconceptions, silly old wives' tales, and even dangerous ideas about everything from UV exposure to treating a common cold. Which suggestions should you follow, and which ones should you kick to the curb?

These classic pieces of advice can reduce your disease risk, boost your health, and even increase your life span.

Best Health Tips

* Eat your breakfast. Women who ate breakfast every day were less likely to become overweight or obese than those who skipped it. What's more, the women who ate breakfast had significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as better insulin response to eating, which suggests a lower diabetes risk.
* Just do it. Physical activity offers a host of benefits, from maintaining an optimal weight to preventing heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. In addition, fitness can boost your mental health: Exercise a week can make a big difference.
* Make friends. Elderly people who have a strong network of friends and acquaintances are likely to live longer than those who have fewer friends. The researchers believe that friendships encourage people to look after their health and help to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
* Read a book. Alzheimer's disease is less common in college graduates, and scientists believe it's because higher education encourages people to read. Activities like reading and solving crossword puzzles stimulate the regeneration of nerve endings in the brain.
* Look on the bright side. Optimistic people are 50 percent less likely to experience early death than pessimists. According to the researchers, those with a positive outlook are generally less stressed, are better equipped to deal with adversity, and have lower blood pressure.