Sometimes it seems our doctors ask a lot of us. They want us to lose weight, stop smoking, stop over-eating, start exercising and remember to take our medications properly. We all know these things aren’t easy. If they were, we’d begin immediately and do all of the above and more. We’d vow to avoid all junk food and never eat out again. We’d quit smoking and jump on the treadmill.

Obviously, that’s not the case. Anyone familiar with the series of articles I write knows that I advocate getting a concussion baseline exam as a no-risk, easy way to dramatically improve care of a concussed patient. But I also advocate for some no-risk, easy, “no brainers” for moving toward a healthier lifestyle. They require very little of your time, but they have big benefits.

My painless, effortless suggestions to better health:

1. Wear your seatbelt – every time you’re in a car and wherever you sit in the car.
2. Get a flu shot every year.
3. Be more optimistic – smile more, say thank you.
4. Walk for 15 minutes every day.
5. Spend 15 minutes outside in the sun every day.
6. Sit less – stand up and move around a bit.
7. Floss every day.
8. Drive defensively – which we are more prone to do when wearing seatbelts!

So that comes out to what? If you do steps 4 and 5 at the same time, all 8 steps together take up about 17 minutes a day. That’s a pretty small chunk of time – with a pretty good return on your investment.