Treat Your Body Like a Computer

Janis Hunter,
Home & Garden Information Center

Have you ever compared your body to a computer? Both need daily care and maintenance to improve their performance and keep them from “crashing.” When your body takes longer to “start,” runs slower or receives “error” messages, put a few computer trouble-shooting tips into action for a fresh start.

 Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and running: Practice a healthy lifestyle to make yourself less susceptible to every “bug” that comes along.

  • Eat healthfully. Consume a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and lean protein foods (e.g. fish, beans, peas, nuts, lean meats, poultry and eggs).
  • Get up and get moving. Be physically active every day to reduce risk for diseases. Adults should get 2 hours and 30 minutes or more a week of activity that requires moderate effort, such as brisk walking. Children and teens should get one hour or more every day.
  • Sleep peacefully at least 7 hours every night.
  • Reduce stress in your life.

Remove unneeded files and programs that can slow down your overall performance: Drop your membership in any club or organization that no longer meets your needs or interests, and use that time to do something more meaningful. Do a job only as thoroughly as it needs to be done. Why mow the lawn or mop the kitchen just because it’s Saturday, especially if the grass hasn’t grown or the kitchen floor isn’t dirty?

Hit “escape,” “undo” or “delete:” If you change your mind about a decision, give yourself the same options with your life that you have with your computer. Instead of always saying “yes” when asked to help, learn to say “no” graciously. For example, say “I can’t do ___ (name of task) right now, but I could help with ____” (name of a less time-consuming task).

 Refer to HGIC 4361, Treat Your Body Like a Computer for more trouble-shooting tips to improve the overall performance of your body’s personal system.

Page maintained by: Home & Garden Information Center

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.