7 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTH
It may not seem simple to find ways to improve health, but it is possible. If you are not a very healthy person, you are certainly not alone. According to recent statistics, less than 3 percent of Americans live a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to become a healthier person.
Here are 7 simple ways to improve your health.
1. Lose A Little Weight
You don’t have to lose a lot of weight to improve your health. In fact, health experts say that losing just 10 percent of your body weight has many benefits. These benefits include:
- Raise your HDL (good cholesterol) by 5 points
- Reduce your risk of cancer
- Get better sleep
- Lower your chances of diabetes
- Improve your mood
It is much easier to lose weight when you focus on losing a smaller amount, rather than setting a huge goal.
2. Quit Smoking
Many people who smoke understand that it is harmful to their health. It might be difficult, but if you quit smoking you can reverse damage to your heart, stop lung damage, and improve your immune system.
3. Exercise Regularly
You don’t have to exercise every day to improve your health. Exercising at least 3 times a week lowers your risk of developing certain health problems. Regular exercise also helps you maintain and improve your body’s range of motion, balance, and flexibility.
4. Practice Proper Dental Care
When you take care of your teeth, it’s not just good for your oral health. Proper dental care is good for your overall health as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, proper dental care helps keep harmful bacteria from entering into your digestive and respiratory tracts.
Some conditions that are linked to poor oral health include:
- Endocarditis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pregnancy complications
- Pneumonia
When you brushing your teeth a couple of times a day and floss once a day, you can lower your risk of these diseases. It’s also beneficial to keep up with routine dental exams.
5. Eat a Healthy Diet
If you want to lose weight, you will want to consider cutting the number of calories you consume each day. You can accomplish this by eating a well-balanced diet. Besides weight loss, other benefits of eating a healthy diet include better heart health, a reduced chance of stroke, improved gut health, healthier muscles and bones, and diabetes prevention. The healthiest diets consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats, and limited amounts of saturated fats.
6. Reduce Stress
Stress takes a huge toll on the body. It can cause a multitude of ailments including:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Heartburn
- Weakened immune system
- High blood sugar
- Increased risk of heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Tense muscles
It might seem impossible for you to reduce stress, but doing so could greatly benefit your health. Some ways to manage your stress include massage therapy, exercise, journaling, prayer, laughter, soothing music, and time spent with friends and family.
7. Keep Up with Routine Exams
The best way to detect cancer and other serious illnesses is to keep up with your routine exams. When cancer and certain illnesses are diagnosed early, the treatment is oftentimes more effective. For women, routine exams include pap smears, mammograms, and bone density screenings. Men over 50 should get a fecal occult blood test. Routine tests for both men and women include blood pressure screening, cholesterol check, blood glucose tests, and colon cancer screening.
What are you doing to improve your health? Are there things some things you could be doing better?
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