Politics, the pandemic, petroleum shortages…Let’s face it, these are things we have very little control over. Sometimes it feels like life is constantly throwing curveballs at us and it can seem like we’re always dodging just to get by. This can leave us feeling frustrated and helpless.
The good news is, there are things we can control, like taking charge of personal health and wellbeing. Managing your personal health care is liberating because you’re taking responsibility for the quality of your life as well as helping prevent potential illness. While you may not be able to control the global economy, you can control your health status by following these preventative tips to manage your overall wellbeing.
Know Your Family Health History:
It is a scientific fact that some diseases and disorders are hereditary. Just as you may share your dad’s blue eyes, or your grandmother’s blonde hair, you may also share similar health factors found in your family tree. Your family health history reveals potential chronic disorders that can be congenital such as heart disease, certain cancers, or diabetes. Knowing this information can help you determine if you are predisposed to certain health conditions so you can take precautions.
DIY Health Testing at Home:
The current trend in modern medicine is now leaning towards do-it-yourself health exams. Medical test kits can be completed at home which are then mailed to a facility where your sample is examined under lab microscopes by qualified technicians. After thorough analysis, the lab will notify you about your medical test results. Some home test kits include screenings for colon cancer, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and more. You can also do simple preventative self-exams at home. These self-exams include weight and body mass monitoring, testicular and breast exams, and regular skin checks. DIY health checks are invaluable for prevention and taking charge of your health.
Go High Tech with Health Checks:
Artificial intelligence (AI) devices and electronic health monitors are another new trend in medical self-care. Wearable health monitors can read your vitals such as your pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. More complicated AI health monitors can analyze your vital statistics with a breathalyzer feature. These results can tell you about various levels of metabolism and provide suggestions for improving your metabolic health. These devices can help you gain a clearer understanding of your daily health status.
Schedule Regular Physical Checkups:
While DIY medical tests and personal electronic health devices are effective for day-to-day monitoring, they can’t replace regular health checkups with your doctor. However, there are pros and cons to regular checkups. Most of us grew up believing that a full physical must be conducted every year to properly manage maximum health. While opinions vary about how often to get regular checkups, recent studies indicate full physicals every year might be overkill. If you’re under the age of 50 and have no health issues or preconditions, the recommendation for annual checkups is about once every three years. If you are over 50, it is recommended you get a physical once a year. Of course, this varies according to your health status. If you have a chronic disease or recurring health issues, you should check in with your doctor more regularly.
Manage Your Diet & Exercise:
Everybody knows that nutrition, staying active, and keeping hydrated are huge keys to optimum health. This is one of the simplest ways to take charge of your health and prevent illness. Medical experts share the widespread opinion that staying away from unhealthy foods and consuming more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has a positive impact on health. It’s also universally agreed that adding regular exercise to your weekly routine reaps great rewards for long-term wellbeing. If you’re already taking control of your health via proper diet and exercise, then you’re giving yourself a winning advantage to living a better quality of life. If you see a need to increase your physical care, then start introducing healthier food choices and incorporate more body movements every day. Taking a few small steps towards improving your health will make you feel a lot better about the status of your overall health.
Control What You Can and Stay Healthy
When it seems like the world is getting more chaotic by the minute and it feels like you have no control over it, you can take solace in knowing there are things you can do to take charge of your health. These tips will help you get back in the driver’s seat of your life and health as well as give you better advantages to preventing illness.
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