Inspired to make some positive changes? Let Sunnybrook’s experts help get the ball rolling. Here, they offer their top health tips, and the best piece of advice they’ve ever received!
Stay hydrated.
Best health tip:
Start your day with a big glass of water, and drink more if you are exercising or in hot weather.
Best advice:
Don’t take yourself too seriously!
-Sylvia Buchanan, Patient Care Manager, Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre
Swim.
Best health tip:
Exercise!
Best advice:
Start swimming regularly.
-Dr. Robert Cartotto, Surgeon, Ross Tilley Burn Centre
Get your flu shot.
Best health tip:
Don’t be afraid of medication. Medications are powerful, and when treated with respect and care, can be life changing in a positive way. While I used to avoid even taking acetaminophen, I realize now how wonderful it is that we have access to medications that can actually improve our health and quality of life.
Best advice:
This one is from my family doctor: get your flu shot! She gave me my flu shot and two weeks later, when all three of my children and my husband were febrile and prostrate, I was absolutely fine! A rock in the storm.
-Dr. Clare Atzema, Emergency Physician
Never smoke.
Best health tip:
Never smoke!
Best advice:
My mother always told me, everything in balance and moderation.
-Dr. Joshua Tepper, Vice President of Education
Take a vacation, if you can.
Best health tip:
Exercise regularly.
Best advice:
Don’t postpone vacation plans if you can afford the time off now!
-Dr. Rose Kung, Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Program
Stay active.
Best health tip:
You can’t change your parents, so when it comes to heart disease, work on changing what you can change: eat properly, exercise, control your weight, your blood sugar and your blood pressure and avoid high risk activities such as smoking.
Best advice:
Stay active! It will strengthen you both physically and mentally.
-Dr. Gideon Cohen, Cardiac Surgeon
Everything in moderation.
Best health tip:
Everything in moderation. In a society where there is a lot of confusion, controversy and conflicting evidence on what we should or shouldn’t be doing in terms of our health, I think it is really important for all of us to remember that too much of anything, or not enough of something, can be harmful.
Best advice:
Risk versus benefit! Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Or do the risks outweigh the benefits? Knowing the answer to either of these questions helps with any challenging decision, health related or not.
-Angela Leahey, Advanced Practice Nurse, Breast Cancer, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre
Hand hygiene.
Best health tip:
I always carry disinfectant wipes with me. I use them when I travel (on the plane and in the hotel), when I’m shopping (to wipe down shopping cart handles), in restaurants, public restrooms, at conferences, meetings, etc.
Best advice:
A very wise man (my dad) gave me this advice: If you are ever in a position to affect positive change in people, always remember to ‘practice what you preach.’ You become a credible role model empowering people to change their behaviours. This is a principle I strive to accomplish in my everyday work.
-Joanne Banfield, Manager, Sunnybrook RBC First Office for Injury Prevention
