The new year gives us the opportunity to break old patterns in our lives and make a fresh start. One of the main areas that many people focus on is improving their overall health and wellness. A healthy diet and exercise are only a couple of factors in living healthier. There are many other ways to improve your overall quality of life as well that you may not have considered. Here’s how to build a healthy lifestyle in all areas of your life.
Don’t Ignore Pain
Don’t ignore pain when you are focusing on how to build a healthy lifestyle. Pain is a natural signal from the body that signifies that something may be wrong. This signal is meant to be felt briefly in order to protect us from immediate danger such as putting our hands on a hot stove. Many people are taught at a young age to ignore pain and toughen up, but chronic pain can be dangerous. Chronic pain can affect every area of your life from keeping you awake at night to not being able to work at all.
As you get older, you may start experiencing more aches and stiffness in your joints. Visiting a chiropractor for adjustments and losing weight can be beneficial for relieving joint inflammation. Maintaining a regular exercise routine can release pain-relieving chemicals and keep your joints flexible. Avoid heavy lifting and other activities that can put excess strain and pressure on your joints and muscles. If you have painful mobility issues, you may want to seek professional help from a physical therapist for exercise recommendations and pain relief treatment options.
There are many over-the-counter and prescribed pain management treatment options available that can help you. Getting the right treatment may take some time, and you may need to see a specialist if the normal treatment options aren’t working. You may want to keep a journal before your doctor’s appointment to help pinpoint the cause of your pain. You can record your stress levels, sleep schedule, food intake, and any other potential triggers that preceded the onset of your pain. You may also want to consider alternative pain treatments such as herbal supplements or acupuncture that may help you relieve your pain.
Take Good Care of Your Skin
Another important part of learning how to build a healthy lifestyle is to take good care of your skin. The lifestyle choices you make on a daily basis can significantly impact how your skin looks and feels. A good skincare routine can help you delay the signs of aging and prevent issues with your skin’s health. You may want to consider visiting a dermatologist if you’re experiencing chronic skin issues. There are many preventative things you can do to keep your skin healthy and strong to help fight off damage and slow down the effects of aging.
Use sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors and consume a healthy diet. Use warm water instead of hot whenever you shower and use mild cleansers. Moisturize your skin regularly and drink plenty of water. Avoid acne breakouts by resisting the urge to touch your face. Women should replace their makeup on a regular basis and clean brushes on a daily basis.
Getting enough rest is another great way to take care of your skin. Sleep is essential for collagen and elastin production to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. Limit your sugar intake and consume antioxidant-rich foods. Find ways to reduce stress, too. Stress can release cortisol and make your skin look tired and dull. Limit your nicotine and alcohol intake as well because they can dehydrate your skin and speed up the aging process.
Another way you can take care of your skin is through laser skin services. These cosmetic procedures can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring from acne inflammation. If you are unhappy with your facial features, you can undergo a plastic surgery procedure to restore confidence in your appearance. If you’re concerned about surgery, there are injections and other cosmetic procedures that can tighten skin, add facial volume, and reduce puffiness or under-eye circles. These procedures have become incredibly popular for both men and women who desire to take better care of their skin and reverse damage.
Don’t Rule Out Orthodontic Treatment
How you take care of your teeth can be a big factor in how to build a healthy lifestyle in all areas of your life. If your teeth and gums aren’t healthy, it can put you at risk of developing serious chronic illnesses. You should schedule a routine cleaning and exam twice a year to keep your mouth healthy. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and floss regularly. Change your toothbrush once every couple of months.
When considering how to build a healthy lifestyle, don’t rule out orthodontic treatment. If you have crooked teeth, you may want to consider Invisalign braces for a more beautiful smile. Straightening your teeth can help you vastly improve your overall oral hygiene. An orthodontist can also recommend other options to fix crossbite that doesn’t involve braces. If you grind your teeth at night, an orthodontist can recommend mouth guards that can protect your teeth.
Invest in Regular Medical Checkups
Investing in regular medical checkups is another essential factor in how to build a healthy lifestyle. Preventative medical checkups can help you decrease your medical costs over time and significantly lengthen your lifespan. During an annual routine checkup, your doctor may be able to spot potential problems early before they can seriously affect your health. Besides an annual checkup, you should also have cancer screenings and make sure you’re up to date on your immunizations. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly for pap smears and mammograms.
If you’re older, you may also want to schedule a hearing test to assess any potential damage that may have occurred over the years. Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a vision test and screenings for eye diseases. You may also want to speak with your family doctor about filing paperwork for a power of attorney and an advance care directive. These documents designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. Review your insurance policies to ensure you have the best coverage to pay for these preventative services so you can be successful towards how to build a healthy lifestyle yourself.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
You may also want to consider improving the air quality in your home as part of your plan of how to build a healthy lifestyle. The quality of the air inside your home can make you sick from bacteria, insect droppings, and other debris circulating through each room. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor pollutant concentrations can be up to five times higher than outdoor pollutants. One of the first steps you may want to take is to get an air quality analysis done to identify the potential pollutants and allergens currently existing in your home. You can either do it yourself by purchasing a kit or hire a professional to perform the test for you.
One way you can improve the air quality in your home is to install a whole-house air purifier in your home’s HVAC system. The air purifier can help reduce animal dander, mold, and chemical emissions that may be floating through your central heating and air conditioning system. Make sure to change your furnace and HVAC system filters on a regular basis. You may want to consider contacting an air conditioning repair professional to inspect and clean your unit at least once a year. An air conditioning technician can clean your ducts as well to ensure cleaner and more efficient air distribution.
Use dehumidifiers throughout your home to prevent mold and mildew growth from developing. Clean the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom on a regular basis. Whenever possible, open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home. Deep clean your home thoroughly on a regular basis to remove indoor pollutants. Household plants can also help you vastly improve your home’s air quality.
Get Rid of Harmful Pests
Household pests can significantly affect your ability in how to build a healthy lifestyle. Insects and vermin can carry deadly viruses and diseases. You can hire pest control services to spray your home on a regular basis to keep unwanted critters away. The pest control professional can recommend solutions to keep bugs away in between sprays to help keep you and your family healthy. If you’re worried about chemical pesticides, there are natural remedies you can find online to get rid of household pests.
Seal any cracks or holes around the perimeter of your home to prevent them from getting inside. Make sure that all food debris is cleaned in your kitchen and store opened food packages in sealed containers. Repair any leaky faucets or pipes that can become a food source for insects. Make sure your garbage cans are tightly closed and your yard clear of weeds and debris. Clear out any cardboard boxes or stacks of magazines or newspapers that can be attractive to bugs.
Get Outside More Often
Getting more physical activity is another crucial part in how to build a healthy lifestyle. Adults need to engage in at least 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity on a weekly basis. One of the best ways you can do that is to get outside more often. Getting outside can make exercising easier, increase brain function, and boost your overall mood. The greenery in nature can help relieve stress and strengthen your immune system.
There are several ways you can get physical activity while being outdoors. These activities can be done safely while social distancing during the pandemic. Do some yard work like gardening or tree pruning to build your physical strength and stamina. Go for walks or runs around your neighborhood. Enjoy a bike ride or play some sports with your family in the backyard. Before starting any exercise routine, you may want to consult with your doctor on whether you’re healthy enough for strenuous physical activities.
Improve Safety Systems at Home
One factor that you may not want to ignore when it comes to how to build a healthy lifestyle is the safety in your home. You may want to check that the safety features in your home are working properly. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If the devices aren’t working properly, you may need to call in a smoke alarm repair professional. Install these alarms on every level of your home.
It’s also a good idea to inspect your home for any potential tripping hazards, especially if you have older adults in your home. Inspect cords for fraying and secure them away from common walking paths. Lower the temperature of your water heater to prevent accident scalding or burns. If you have stairs, make sure the steps remain clear and the handrails are secure. Place non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen to prevent accidental falls from slippery surfaces.
Protect the health of your children by storing medications and household chemicals out of reach, ideally in locked cabinets. Inspect toys for potential choking hazards. Use motion lighting around the exterior of your home to make it safer for guests and to deter intruders. Setting up proper lighting inside your home can help prevent accidents while performing common household tasks. Make sure windows are secured to prevent children from falling out and keep cords out of reach.
As you focus on how to build a healthy lifestyle in this new year, start small and make gradual changes as you go. Pick some of the above activities and start implementing them right away. If you want to be healthier this year, no one is going to make that happen for you but you. Don’t let the distractions of today’s modern life get in your way to achieving your wellness goals. Get started building your healthy lifestyle today.