Poll: Personal health taking back seat

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 9 (UPI) -- Personal health may be taking a back seat to other worries for many Americans as a U.S. survey indicates only 25 percent say health is a top priority.

A survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Sambucol black elderberry extract found 50 percent of Americans say they are not getting enough exercise and 40 percent say they don't get enough sleep. Those with children are more likely than those without children to say they don't get enough sleep, the survey found.

Twenty-three percent say they are worried they don't get the proper amount of nutrients from their regular diet; 23 percent of adults report frequently feeling "run down" -- with 27 percent of women and 18 percent of men saying they feel run down.

Dr. Claire Wheeler, author of "10 Simple Solutions to Stress," advises everyone needs to strive to live healthier.

"Lack of sleep, exercise and nutrients can weaken your immune system," Wheeler says in a statement. "It's important to try to adjust these lifestyle factors -- even during tough times."

To stay healthier, Wheeler suggests to: forget crash diets, take a break when feeling tired, think positively, exercise to help keep stress hormone levels in check and drink plenty of water because if one doesn't get enough water, toxins can build up and strain immunity.

The survey was conducted Oct. 8-10 using Harris Interactive's QuickQuery online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,212 U.S. adults.