For many years, conversations about sunlight have tended to fall into one of two extremes. One message tells us that the sun is dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. The other suggests that more sun exposure is always better because sunlight is “natural.” And as sometimes happens when there are two extremes, neither extreme reflects the full truth.

Sleep is different from many other health behaviors. You can decide to take a walk, prepare a healthy meal, or complete a workout. But you cannot simply command yourself to fall asleep. In fact, the harder we try to force sleep, the more alert and frustrated we may become.

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for mood, strength, sleep, metabolism, and disease prevention. But knowing that exercise is good for us is very different from knowing how to start. The best exercise program is not the most complex one. It is the one you can do safely, consistently, for years.

For many adults, health goals have long been centered around the number on the scale.

Lose a few pounds. Eat less. Try another diet, try harder. Watch the scale. Repeat over and over and over again. This cycle often leads to discouragement and burnout; in fact, according to Ohio State Health and Discovery, up to 95% of would-be dieters and early gym goers end up quitting before reaching their goal.

If your energy is not what it used to be, it could be your body giving you a warning. Don’t ignore it.

I recently had the honor of educating an Eighth grade class about the benefits of intentional Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress.

I formulated this handout on Exercise. I will publish the handouts on Sleep and Stress in the weeks to come.