Our health is determined by many different factors. Some people are predisposed to certain conditions and illnesses, while others will be affected by their diet and lifestyle choices. One thing is certain, the issue of preventative care has become especially important in recent times, with research showing that it can improve health as we age and even lead to longer life. Staying healthy decreases the risk of a variety of health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, and chronic illness.
According to the experts at Find-A-Code, an online database of medical billing codes, many preventative treatments such as blood tests and lab screenings are actually covered by healthcare insurance, although many people never avail of them. To that end, below are a few ways to improve health:
Eat a Healthy Diet
Many of the health problems that people face are a direct result of the foods that they eat. Not eating enough fruit and vegetables, coupled with an overload of processed, junk foods can increase the risk of certain health conditions. In fact, a diet that contains too much saturated fat, sodium, and sugar increases the risk of chronic diseases, according to the CDC. A poor diet can lead to weight gain and obesity, which in turn increases the risk for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Some cancers are also thought to be linked to an unhealthy diet.
Exercise More
Intricately linked to diet is exercise. As well as eating unhealthy diets, many Americans do not get enough exercise. You do not have to train for a marathon or go to the gym every day but taking some time to move your body will certainly improve your health. The CDC also says that not enough physical activity can result in heart disease, even in those who don’t have any other risk factors.
Drink More Water
Most people assume that as long as they are drinking two liters of liquid every day their recommended water consumption is covered. However, relying on coffees and sugar-laden sodas is not a good idea when it comes to your health. Switching to water will provide you with many benefits. It will improve the condition of your skin, help control your weight, and will keep your kidneys working efficiently. The more water you drink, the less you will crave sugary drinks.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is vitally important to health and wellbeing. You might be surprised to hear that insufficient sleep is linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. A lack of sleep affects both physical and mental performance and according to Healthline is one of the ‘strongest individual risk factors for weight gain and obesity’.
Limit Unhealthy Habits
Cutting back on your alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can have a massive positive impact on your health. Tobacco and alcohol are linked to various cancers and other chronic health conditions.
Focus on Your Mental Health
Improving your physical health is important, but you should not forget about mental health. Reducing stress will help you to feel more relaxed and will reduce the risk of conditions such as anxiety and depression. Meditation and relaxation activities like yoga and Pilates can help to boost the mood and improve your mental health at the same time.
Conclusion
If you want to reduce your risk of chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and cancer, you need to take steps to improve your mental and physical health. Eating healthier, exercising more, and cutting back on unhealthy habits will all help.
