It’s no secret that the average person is busier than ever these days. With work, kids, running errands and more, it can be hard to spend quality time with family and friends and have time to properly look after yourself.
But your health is your responsibility. And your partner in staying healthy is your doctor. Here are six ways to partner with your doctor in your health, so that you get the most out of the time you spend together.
Make a habit of de-stressing
Here’s the thing—when you’re tired, your immune system is compromised, which means you’re often ill with colds and other infections. When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol that suppresses the immune system.
So not only are you likely to get sick more when you’re tired and stressed; while you’re sick, you’ll have a harder time recovering from stress. So, the key is to de-stress often and enjoy doing it. Make sure to fast-track an appointment with your doctor if you start to feel any sign of acute stress.
So, make sure you’re not leaving anything out with important activities like exercise, reading a good book, listening to soothing music, playing with your pet, or soaking in a hot tub to help you relax.
Spend time with friends and family
Spending quality time with your friends and family increases your quality of life and can improve your mood and wellbeing. This is also good for releasing stress and improving the quality of your mental health. Spending quality time with family can be challenging because of conflicting schedules, childcare, busy workdays, long commutes, and even hectic household chores.
However, this doesn’t have to discourage you from spending time with your loved ones. The more time you spend connecting with your family and close friends, the better off you’ll be and happier you’ll feel in your own life. Now that’s time well spent!
Go to bed earlier
Lack of sleep is a serious problem, and nearly one-third of adults don’t get enough sleep. Staying up late at night can have negative implications on your health and wellbeing.
Sleep is a time for rejuvenation; the body makes use of this time to repair and build muscle as well as shut down unnecessary systems to make room for the processes taking place while you sleep. Making time to prioritize your health is important, and getting enough sleep is one way to achieve that.
Take the stairs
Your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rates are all elevated immediately after climbing a flight of stairs. It is a naturally occurring, scientifically proven way to perform cardio-respiratory exercise that will help prevent cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
Just take the stairs whenever you have the chance; it’s an easy way to get that little bit of extra fitness into your day.
Make a few dietary substitutions
There are various dietary alterations you can make to make yourself healthier. Substituting healthy foods for unhealthy ones can reduce your risk of chronic diseases and help you live a long, active lifestyle without breaking the bank on organic vegetables and speciality products.
For example, seriously consider:
- Taking whole-grain bread, rice, crackers and pasta in place of the less healthy white version
- Swap skin-on, and leaner cuts of other meats such as beef or pork for skinless chicken and turkey in your recipes.
- Drink a tall glass of water each day in place of one sugary drink (soda, juice, etc.).
- Hungry between meals. Don’t reach for candy bars or potato chips. Instead, snack on a handful of almonds or cashews, a piece of whole fruit, or carrot sticks dipped in hummus.
All your life, you’ve heard the words ‘get on with it’. But you don’t have to just get on with it, you can make changes, and you can be healthier.
2018 ·