Healthy »

1 “Be active.  Then get your children active.”

Reason:  Exercise is an integral component to prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, depression, cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, chronic pain and more.

— Dr. Jacques L. Beauchamp, founder

and CEO, Spine and Sport

2 “Boost awareness of the importance of organ donation.”

Reason:  Eighteen people on transplant waiting lists in the United States die every day due to the lack of available organs.

— Savannahians Brad and Amy Stewart,

whose infant son, Cabell, received a life-saving heart transplant in August 2009

3 “Eat less, move more.”

Reason:  Obesity can double or triple an individual’s risk of death.

— Dr. Paul S. Bradley,  founder,

Ourlife Weight Loss and Fitness

4 “Strengthen your spine.”

Reason:  Spine strengthening reduces pain dramatically and prevents future pain.

— Dr. Eric Bull, founder, Spine and Sport

5 “Drink green tea.”

Reason:  Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that promote younger-looking skin, a healthy metabolism and increased energy.

— Shelley Smith, owner of See Jane, a modern Apothecary

6 “Breathe deeper.”

Reason:  Studies show that breathing deeply and slowly eases tension, reduces stress, increases energy and may even result in weight loss.  (High cortisol levels due to stress increase belly fat.)

— Kelley J. Boyd, director/owner, Savannah Yoga Center

7 “Secure your child’s booster or car seat.” 

Reason:  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 1-35.  Have your child’s seat checked by a certified child passenger safety technician.  Four out of every five car seats are installed incorrectly. 

—Alison Gramza, coordinator, Safe Kids Savannah, Chatham County Health Department

(Visit www.usa.safekids.org to find a car seat inspection station.)

Wealthy » 

8 “Save.  Save.  Save.”

Reason:  Cash is king, especially in our current economic environment, and opportunity reacts very well to the cash king.

— Thomas C. Hester, division president, The Coastal Bank

9 “Understand your investments.”

Reason:  Understanding the contents of your portfolio and how your advisor is compensated helps ensure that your investments are properly aligned with your financial goals.

— Marsha Woelber, partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities, offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

10 “Create or update your personal estate plan.”

Reason:  Seven out of 10 American adults have no estate plan at all.  If you die without an estate plan in place, you can cost your family a great deal in time, money and aggravation.

— Richard S. Barid, estate planning attorney, Smith Barid, LLC

11 “Increase your personal savings rate.”

Reason:  Consumer overspending was one of the major causes for the recession.  This includes people who spent most of the equity in their homes, which have now decreased in value.

— Brian R. Foster, chairman, CEO, First Chatham Bank

12 “Spend less.”

Reason:  A retreat to the basics of fundamental financial planning on the individual level will serve to benefit both our nation’s households and our nation itself.  Revisiting the financial behaviors of our past generations with respect to purchasing only that which we can afford will reduce the present and future stress of leverage on our nation’s families and businesses.

— Michelle B. Hetager, vice president, private financial advisor, BB&T Bank

Wise » 

13 “Balance your life by caring for others and taking care of yourself.”

Reason:  If we do not find ways to replenish our energy through nurturing ourselves, we have insufficient energy for reaching the goals that bring meaning into our lives.

— Mary McAlister, executive director, Rape Crisis Center

14 “Listen to understand, not to respond.”

Reason:  Studies show that immediately after we listen to someone, we only recall about 50 percent of what they said.  Long term, we only remember 20 percent of what we hear.

— Kelly J. Burke, principal and vice president for operations, Bethesda Home for Boys

15 “Count your blessings.”

Reason:  We have the greatest standard of living of any generation that has come before us.  We have so much to be thankful for, yet we fail to realize it.  The following quote summarizes it best: “The greatest of all gifts is the ability to recognize things at their true worth.”

— Lynn Vos, Savannah area director, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center

16 “Greet each day joyfully. Encourage others to do the same.”

Reason:  Happy people live longer.

— Beth Aldrich, assistant head, St. Andrew’s School

17 “Get inspired.”

Reason:  Everyone has a creative side, whether he or she knows it or not.  Seeing an idea or thought come to life is something everyone should experience.

— Emily J. McCarthy, designer and photographer, Emma J. Design

18 “Laugh a lot.”  

Reason:  Laughter releases endorphins that make you feel good and relieve stress.  It also makes family memories that you can treasure.

— Jan G. Welsh Levy, owner, Just for Baby and More

19 “Play with your kids every day.”

Reason:  Most child-development experts agree that play is the foundation of intellectual exploration.  It’s how children learn how to learn.

— Jennie Tarver, a.k.a. Sillydilly the Clown, professional children’s entertainer

20 “Enrich your mind.”

Reason:  The opportunities are endless and your brain will thank you.  Enroll in a course.  Read a great book.  Attend a concert, play or gallery opening.

— Dr. Linda Bleicken, president, Armstrong Atlantic State University