People tend to be fairly reactive about their health. Oftentimes, they don’t try to do anything to improve their well-being unless they have a health crisis. Instead, they are at the mercy of medical professionals to figure out what’s wrong with them. The truth is, most people actually have so much more power over their health than they may realize.
While there is a time and a place for healthcare professionals, there are nonetheless plenty of ways to take control of your wellbeing without them. These common-sense ways to improve your health mean fewer visits to the doctor’s office and more time spent enjoying life and doing the things you love.
Improve the Quality of Your Food
You have far more power over your health when you can control what goes into your mouth. Sodas, candy, baked goods are all delicious, but they are also devastating to your health. They can increase inflammation, leading to joint pain in some people, and so much more.
To avoid these complications, you should take steps to improve the quality of your food. Eat nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, proteins, nuts, and seeds. Drink a ton of water. Reduce your alcohol consumption to just once or twice a week. You’ll discover that the better nutrition you get, the less you’ll desire the things that don’t benefit your health.
Focus On Sleep
Do you dream of getting a good night’s sleep? Don’t give up. Unless you have something going on medically, it’s likely that with some simple changes, you can get better sleep at night. If falling asleep quickly isn’t within your reach, here are some things to try.
First, turn off all technology an hour before your desired bedtime. Blue lights from smartphones and other screens hinder your body’s natural sleep process. You’ll also want to sleep in complete darkness. Think of a cave. Try to get it as close as you can to get it that dark in your bedroom.
Do Annual Tests From Home
Some tests are already uncomfortable as it is, and going to a doctor’s office to get them done can be even more stressful. The good news is that there are at-home diagnostic medical tests you can take to give you the privacy you need and the peace of mind you desire.
This means that you won’t need to schedule your appointment months in advance, or risk not being able to get in by waiting too long to call. And even better, you’ll only need to meet with your healthcare provider if you have abnormal results.
Get Off the Couch and Move
In addition to eating well, moving regularly is also critical for your health. It’s one of the best ways you can easily take charge of your own health. Whether you start by adding in just five minutes of walking a day, or you’re working up to lifting weights, it’s important to find ways to increase your activity level.
Spend more time moving and less time on the couch binge-watching shows, and you’ll improve your cardiovascular health and build muscle strength in no time. Both your physical and your mental health will thank you for it!
Be Your Own Advocate
Finding solutions to health problems can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. If your healthcare providers are stumped, start doing your own research. You can access medical studies online to learn about people with similar symptoms and find out what other doctors and researchers have discovered about it. You can also take these studies to the doctor’s office with you when you go.
Playing an active role in trying to learn what’s going on can alleviate the pressure from the doctor, who likely has hundreds of other patients to care for. As you find information, and the doctor also finds supplemental information, it might help them better piece together what’s going on and how they can help you recover. After all, you know your body the best.
Love Your Gut
The research into the effects of gut health on your overall health is just beginning. While you may have heard of the benefits of probiotics, you may not know the full benefit of focusing on gut health. Poor gut health can lead to mental health challenges, intestinal conditions like IBS, and even joint pain.
By eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, drinking kombucha, and reducing your intake of artificial sweeteners, you can dramatically improve your gut health. It’s more than taking probiotics when you’re on antibiotics. Good gut health is a lifestyle that focuses on healthy habits and foods that help the good bacteria in your gut flourish.
