Making some small (and maybe a few not so small ☺️) lifestyle changes can help get you on the road to being your best self. Here are our top tips.
Move more.
We all know that exercise comes with all kinds of benefits. Even as little as 10 minutes a day can strengthen your heart and help build muscle.
This one’s a no brainer, right? Maybe. But quitting is hard for most people. And unfortunately it’s the number one cause of preventable death in the US. In addition to causing lung cancer, smoking can also cause heart disease, stroke and many other cancers. If you’re struggling with quitting, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist to see if there are any medication options that could work for you. Talk therapy can help too. You’ve got this!!
3. Get good quality sleep.
You know how amazing it feels to get a really great night’s sleep. That’s because it’s your body’s and brain’s best way to restore and repair. Not getting enough sleep can lead to all sorts of conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease and anxiety and depression. Aim for seven hours a night if possible.
4. Eat more plant-based foods.
You don’t have to go full vegan or even vegetarian to reap the benefits of eating more plants. Studies show just incorporating a few more fruits and veggies a week can help control type 2 diabetes, reduce bad cholesterol and decrease your risk of heart disease.
5. Drink more water.
Staying hydrated is key to helping your brain and body function properly. Not getting enough water can cause you to have trouble focusing, make you feel tired and cause headaches. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends nine cups of fluid a day for women and 13 for men.
6. Visit your doctor on the reg.
Get those yearly well-person exams, including regular physicals which monitor your blood pressure, and blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood glucose. Don’t forget regular Pap smears, mammograms and colonoscopies as your provider recommends. And keep those six-month dental visits.
7. Manage stress.
We all deal with stress but when it starts to pile up it can lead to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. For those times when you feel overwhelmed try things like breathing exercises, yoga, your fave physical exercise, meditation or tai chi.
8. Get tested.
Regular testing for STDs is one of the most important things you can do for your sexual health and well-being. Knowing your status and that of your partner and practicing safe sex can keep you from getting sick or passing and STD to someone else.
About Revan Health
Revan Health provides welcoming, respectful family medicine for all from infants to geriatrics. We understand the pain and frustration that comes with not feeling heard by your family care provider. We believe access to respectful care is key to improving medicine adherence and overall life satisfaction for our patients. Like us on Facebook or visit us at revanhealth.com.