14 May Preparing for the Unexpected with Dr. Calendine
Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle –
Investing in your health means preparing for the unexpected. Although we all hope to avoid surgery, some conditions like arthritis, often caused by a combination of genetics and previous injuries, inevitably require joint replacement procedures. With this in mind, Cory Calendine, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, shares healthy lifestyle tips to keep your body prepared for anything:
- Invest in your sleep.
“Quality of sleep is just as important as quantity of sleep,” said Calendine. “Make sure that you are sleeping in a cool, dark room and being consistent with a sleep schedule.”
Getting at least eight hours of quality sleep per night can be beneficial to the circadian rhythm, aid in injury recovery and help prevent many chronic diseases.
- Stay active.
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise per week. Although exercise is good for the heart, it also helps promote strong muscles and joints.
“Motion is life, and life is motion,” said Calendine. “Stay consistent with exercising so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you do require surgery, having a strong body is important.”
- Maintain a healthy diet.
Obesity can increase complications—including infection—after surgery. Eating healthy foods and increasing protein intake two weeks before and after surgery can aid in recovery.
“Hydration is also a key factor,” said Calendine. “Try to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day for optimal health.”
- Utilize your resources.
Having accountability can make healthy lifestyle goals more achievable. Try using sleep tracking or training apps to stay consistent with healthy habits.
“I find that just tracking my habits on an app helps me make healthier choices,” said Calendine. “Not all surgeries are planned, and we need to keep our bodies ready at all times.”
For more information on Cory Calendine, M.D. or Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, visit BoneAndJointTN.org or call 615-791-2630.