FROM PETER EBENSTEIN, M.D. ADVICE FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

IMPORTANT AND EFFECTIVE:

Not smoking

Maintaining a healthy weight

Maintaining regular hours and habits

Taking a brisk 30 minute walk three times a week

Maintaining actual contact with family and friends

Keeping busy doing things with and for other people

Maintaining a constructive relationship with your doctor who knows you

If you are considering major elective surgery, getting a second opinion from an acknowledged

expert in the field

NOT SO IMPORTANT OR EFFECTIVE:

"Trying to cut down"

Obsessing about your weight

"All nighters"

Running marathons and triathelons, body building

Facebook

Watching cable news and yelling at the television

Calling all the doctors you can find on the web and seeing the one who will see you first

Getting a 3rd opinion from your cousin's doctor, a 4th from your daughter's pediatrician, and a 5th from your mother in law who watches the Dr. Oz show