Healthy Choices

Here we are with summer almost over for many as school starts for some in a couple of weeks! It still remains that we all want to make healthy choices to keep ourselves out of the healthcare system. Or we want to remain healthy as long as possible by making healthy choices.

It’s not probably realistic to believe we can totally eliminate healthcare needs but if we could incorporate more healthy choices, we can significantly reduce our likelihood of needing it.  How can we do that?

Well of course, there are as many versions of healthy living as there are grains of sand on the beach.  It’s important to make healthy choices that you can stick with that will be best.

Here’s some suggestions we found that may interest you.

  1. Eat a balanced diet. Most say fresh foods, and cutting out the packaged foods that line the grocery store aisles.  The fresh food is around the perimeter of the stores.  Some today say cutting out seed oils, canola, safflower, and other nut oils will help as these are heavily processed. Coconut and Extra Virgin Olive Oils remain good.
    Healthy Choices

    Healthy Choices

  2. Stay hydrated.  I read an article recently that stated a study conducted showed that it wasn’t necessarily a lack of magnesium or potassium that caused leg cramping but that people were actually dehydrated.  Also in speaking to someone suffering from aFib earlier this year that told her that if she drank two bottles of water before coming into the ER it would’ve certainly helped lower her heartbeat. Water, and not other drinks, is so important for us.
  3. Exercise.  We all know this is what we should do but where do we find time.  Well, the recommendedactivity is slated at 150 minutes per week of brisk walking, cycling, or even swimming, can significantly help.  That’s just 2.5 hours per week or 1/2 hour for 5 days. When we break it down like that it seems easier to get it down.
    Healthy Choices

    Healthy Choices

  4. Sleep.  Don’t we know we need it!  As we age it seems impossible to get sleep.  Recommendations are 7-9 hours each night for our bodies to rejuvenate. Sometimes it just seems impossible between responsibilities of work and families, and other activities.
  5. Stress Management.  Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises help us manage our stress levels.
    Healthy choices

    Healthy Choices

  6. Maintaining a Healthy Weight.  Aim for BMI (body mass index) of 18.5-24.9 to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
  7. Quit Smoking.  This is a significant risk factor for numerous health problems such as heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
  8. Alcohol Consumption.  This should be limited. Moderate, 1 drink per day for women and 2 per day for men, can have some benefits some believe but excessive consumption is a possible lead in to addiction and increased risk of chronic health issues.
  9. Good Hygiene.  Washing hands helps stop the spread of diseases such as cold and flu.
  10. Regular Check-ups.  Annual health checks with your primary care doctor can keep you on the straight and narrow.  You can’t really measure your health unless you have some data to start and to check in every year to note changes.  This helps determine if something is ‘brewing’ in your body and we know its certainly better to catch things in the early stages of development.

  11. And There’s More

  12. Stay Current on Vaccinations. Get recommended vaccinations to protect you against infectious diseases like influenza, pneumococcal disease, and HPV.
  13. Practice Safe Sex. The use of condoms with protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and also unwanted pregnancies.
  14. Environmental Toxins. These toxins are everywhere now but there are ways you can limit them. Secondhand smoke, pesticides, heavy metals, can be limited with air purifiers, cleaning but the best is to avoid them.  Many scented products such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and scented candles may be toxic.Best to limit their use if you can.
  15. Vitamin D3. This vitamin, which is really not a vitamin, but a hormone synthesized in your body. It is best if you can get some sun on your skin in the early morning. It is a major factor contributing to good health, sustaining your vitamin D3 levels.  It contributes to bone health and immune function. There are also supplements that can help.  It is good to take Vitamin K2 and also calcium with your Vitamin D3. Also help with optimum bone health.
  16. Manage Chronic Conditions. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider to successfully manage these conditions. These can be managed thru medication and/or lifestyle changes.
  17. Don’t Forget Oral Health. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.  See your dentist regularly as well.
  18. Protective Gear. It sounds off but protective gear is preventive in nature.  Helmets, goggles, and other safety gear will help you maintain optimum body health.  Sports always run the risk of accidents and possible bodily harm.
  19. Screen Time! Yes!! Limit screen time, for all ages.  They suggest that recreational screen time be limited to no more than 2 hours each day to protect from eye strain and other possible issues.
  20. Mental Acuity.  Stay mentally active.  Suggestions are reading, puzzles, or learning new skills to support cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing dementia. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/03/creating-healthy-habits

Conclusion

While some of these items are tried and true and you have heard about them for forever but others we may not think of so often in maintaining our overall health. 

So here’s to your good health!  From Transition Care Telemetry https://transitioncaretelemetry.com

Please check in with us if you or a family member or friend is in need of home healthcare.  We would love to see how we can help!!