If you were given the option of making a few small lifestyle changes in order to ward off potential health problems, you’d probably do it, right? After all, no one wants to get sick. Thankfully, this “option” isn’t just some gimmick. You really can make a few life changes and make a big difference in your overall health — and the earlier you start, the better.
Many 20-somethings are still in a state of feeling invincible, but the truth is that no matter how old you are, the lifestyle choices you make affect your body long-term. Preventative healthcare starts at home and should start as soon as possible. Everything from the amount of sleep you’re getting to what you put in your body on a regular basis plays a factor in how well your body can fight off certain ailments. You can also take active steps to include more things in your life that you know are healthy, like meditation or deep breathing. Stopping the things that can negatively impact your health, like smoking or excessive drinking, will also help to make your body’s defenses stronger.
But, preventative healthcare also means taking the right steps to ensure you’re not sick. Things like regular blood tests, cancer screenings, and blood pressure tests can let you know if there might be a problem early on, allowing someone like a nurse practitioner or a doctor to catch a potential health concern before it turns into something more serious.
So, what can you do to keep yourself healthy and naturally deal with any ailments you may already struggle with? Let’s take a look at some options.
Staying Healthy With Age
Many people start to think more about their health as they get older, which is a good thing considering that the risk of many different types of health conditions goes up with age. Starting to think about these things as young as your 20s is even better, as more years of good health make for a longer and more satisfying life. The things you do now to strengthen both your mental and physical health as you age can help to ward off some common issues like dementia or diabetes.
For example, some of the risk factors of dementia include:
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
Typically, all of the factors on that list can be monitored and changed throughout your life. Getting more physical activity, changing your diet, and getting rid of bad physical habits will help your body to fight off a variety of potential ailments as you get older. While there isn’t a “magic formula” for staying young, you can feel much better and slow down the aging process on your body by taking some of these factors into consideration and making positive changes.
Natural Ways to Fight Off Health Conditions
In addition to taking care of yourself to prevent certain health conditions, you can also go the natural route when it comes to treating certain problems. While it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor when it comes to more serious issues, sometimes natural changes can make the biggest difference in the way you feel, and how your body responds to a problematic health condition.
Most minor, common health problems can be combatted with a natural remedy. Do you have a cold or the flu? Try getting more vitamin C through dark, leafy greens. Are your nails weak and brittle? Rub them with coconut oil. Have you been diagnosed with anxiety? Try meditation and mindfulness. Even some STD symptoms can be mitigated with home remedies like tea tree oil and aloe.
Natural remedies won’t always completely get rid of whatever health condition you’re facing, but they can typically make the symptoms of those conditions much easier to deal with. This is especially true when it comes to adding things to your diet with anti-inflammatory properties, or with antioxidants.
You Are What You Eat
Your diet is such a huge part of your general health and wellness. While you probably already know you shouldn’t have a pint of ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, dietary tips for better health go far beyond the obvious. By making some changes to your diet (eliminating some things and adding others), not only can you keep your immune system stronger, but you might be able to fight back against existing harmful health problems.
Dietary changes can be used for everything from addiction recovery to lowering your blood pressure. It’s all about discovering how certain foods work for you and how your body processes them.
There isn’t one perfect diet plan, as every single body is different. If you really want to find out what your ideal diet should look like, try speaking with a nutritionist to develop an individualized plan. Otherwise, the basic guidelines for what we all should be eating on a regular basis are the same — whole grains, lean proteins, and a lot of vegetables and fruits.
If you already have certain health conditions, or certain chronic illnesses run in your family, including a few “extras” into your diet can make a difference. For example, if you have diabetes and need to lower your blood sugar, foods like nuts, oatmeal, and yogurt can help to prevent spikes. If you have a heart condition or high cholesterol, drinking a glass of red wine each day can help. Dealing with stress? Try tea or fatty fish like salmon.
The list could go on and on when it comes to what you can eat to balance out your body and stay healthy. The important thing to recognize is that your diet is one of the most crucial components of preventative healthcare. By watching what you eat, getting enough exercise and sleep, and complying with regular screenings and check-ups with your doctor, you’ll always be one step ahead when it comes to dealing with health problems. No matter your age, feeling good is something to celebrate!
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