Many people think being healthy is just a matter of luck. Some believe the steps they must take to stay healthy are too daunting. As a healthcare provider, it’s up to you to dispel both of those myths and clarify some simple strategies for better health. 1. Eat a Healthy Diet Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that fewer than one in 10 adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables daily. The CDC also confirms that a healthy diet can increase a person’s lifespan while reducing their likelihood of developing problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Recommend that your patients keep a journal of what they eat and drink each day. Then, during a follow-up visit, evaluate the entries and see what kinds of straightforward changes people could do to eat healthier. Remind individuals that small, gradual improvements may be easier to stick to than drastic ones. 2. Get Enough Exercise Many people know exercise is crucial for good health, but they often don’t do it. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published statistics indicating that less than 5 percent of adults engage in a half-hour of physical exercise daily. The current guidelines on the topic clarify that adults should get 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Moreover, patients should aim to reduce their sedentary activities. Sitting too much can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Having a sedentary lifestyle can also adversely affect bone strength, the immune system, circulation and a person’s mental health. If a patient seems overwhelmed at the suggestion to become more active, discuss how doing something like biking or walking to work instead of driving can help them get into the habit. Additionally, many community centers offer low-cost exercise classes for people who feel more motivated by working out with others. 3. Wash Your Hands More Often Proper hand washing prevents illnesses and stops diseases from spreading. For example, statistics published by the CDC indicate that hand washing education reduced the number of people sickened by diarrhea by up to 40 percent. However, many people don’t wash their hands correctly. Once a person lathers up with soap, they need to scrub for at least 20 seconds, while being careful not to overlook the backs of their hands, the spaces between the fingers and the area under the nails. After coaching your patients about proper hand washing, remind them of how it’s especially important to practice the technique after using the bathroom and before eating. Doing it could keep them healthy and stop others from getting sick. 4. Maintain an Ongoing Relationship With Your Doctor Many people avoid going to see physicians unless they’re sick. Often, that decision is cost-related. Besides, some individuals — even adults — are afraid of going to doctors and only do it when it’s crucial. There is conflicting evidence about how much good regular checkups do in keeping people healthy. However, doctors say check-ups are necessary because they help give physicians a better understanding of their patients, allowing them to make a more accurate diagnosis. Some healthcare providers conclude that people who are young and healthy don’t necessarily need to see their doctors every year. However, getting an annual check-up is a good idea for individuals over 50. Besides linking regular checkups to good health, encourage your patients to pay attention to their bodies, and never ignore strange symptoms. It’s better to get them checked out than let a potentially serious problem progress without intervention. 5. Manage Your Stress Stress is a fact of life, and it’s not always a bad thing. Being under pressure can cause benefits, such as short-term immune system boosts, improved cognitive function and more overall resiliency. However, when a person’s stress levels are too high, or someone feels overly stressed most of the time, those situations can have a detrimental effect on health. It can cause raised anxiety, depression, an elevated heart rate and high blood pressure. Chronic stress can impact all areas of the body and cause problems with cardiovascular function, the reproductive system, digestion and more. Stress can also exacerbate mental health problems, plus make people feel less able to deal with life’s pressures. However, stress management can be as easy as participating in meditation, calling a supportive friend or taking a dog for a walk in the park. Research shows that just 20 minutes in nature can have a positive effect on stress hormones. Better Health Is Within Reach Giving these tips to your patients should help them realize it’s easier than they may think to get healthier. Starting small and staying dedicated to new habits can pay off. Source
