How to Start Living a Healthy Life
Make Your Emotional and Physical Health a Top Priority
Jun 1, 2008
Summer is here and you want to look and feel your best. But proper diet and exercising may not be enough. When was the last time you actually evaluated your health? To do so, you may need to ask yourself some crucial questions: Do you get recommended health screenings? When was the last time you had a check up? Have you evaluated your emotional wellness and stress control lately? Whatever you may be struggling with (or want to improve or learn about), you need to get started with a few basics that will assist you in your quest for health and fitness.
Finding a Health Provider
You may not know what changes you need to make until you visit a doctor and get a physical exam. Most doctors recommend yearly checkups, at least for the basics. Get your blood pressure tested and some various lab tests that include ones for cholesterol and diabetes. You may even want to do a stress test (a test to see how well your heart reacts to physical activity). A doctor can also determine what tests are necessary for your age group and gender.
Tools for Success
According to the healthcare experts, the first step to success is education. There are many ways to learn how to improve your health. Do online research, take a smoking cessation class to help quit your habit, and if money permits, hire a personal trainer to help you find the correct exercise routine. You can also do some easy and basic things like get a pedometer to track your steps, a scale to measure foods, or various exercise/stress related videos or dvds. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for support. Accountability to others is a proven way to keep you on track.
Keep Those Appointments
Have a daily planner to keep track of important health related appointments such as your next visit to the dentist. Many people use their busy jobs or family obligations as reasons to “put things off”. But as one healthcare advisor points out: “If you don’t have your health, you won’t have the time to work or spend time with friends or family. It’s that simple.”
As stated earlier, the internet is loaded with organizations to assist you in improving your lifestyle and overall well being. The following six online tools are good places to start:
- NetWellness, www.netwellness.org, is a non-profit consumer health site with high quality health information as well as a question and answer service provided by health professionals from three major universities.
- The American Health Association provides a free web-based tool at www.heart.org. It helps people make positive changes through walking and eating better. You can also map out a customized walking route near your home, office, or school.
- Medicine Plus, http://medlineplus.gov, offers information on more than 750 health topics as well as current health news, health check tools, and directories for finding medical experts in your area.
- MedicineNet.com is another website that offers newsletters, health news of the week, and on-line patient/doctor discussions
- Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com, is one of the more popular sites. It provides a healthy living center where people can get health information, check symptoms, and ask a Mayo Clinic expert health related questions.
- AARP, www.aarp.org/healthy, offers aging tips for people over fifty years old. It includes information about prescriptions and insurance. And if you are an AARP member, you quality for discounts on personal trainers, health clubs, and diet and nutrition products.
