This month on The Hub, we have been taking a look at some of the steps necessary to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating right, exercising and taking care of your mental health. Those are some of the big factors that account for your health but there’s certainly a lot more you can do to live healthy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle means just that, it is a lifestyle which you have to commit to in all aspects. So while you’re watching your diet and hitting the gym, keep some of these smaller aspects in mind to live a well-rounded and heathy life.
Clean mouths.
While it might seem like something that would be way down the list of health concerns, new studies have shown the importance of dental hygiene as it relates to your overall health. According to heath experts, those who practice poor dental hygiene are more at risk for diseases such as cancer. The build up of bacteria in your mouth leaves you more susceptible to forms of cancer that originate in the mouth, but allows the bacteria to spread to areas like your colon and further increase the risk of cancer. So don’t neglect your dental health, keep brushing and go to the dental regularly.
Get some sun.
When summer hits, everyone begins concerning themselves with sun protection, and for good reason. The hot summer sun can certainly do a lot of damage to your skin, but it’s also important to remember how beneficial the sun can be all year round. The sun is a great, all-natural source of energy and vitamin D. If you every feel like you’re lagging during the day, it could very well be because you haven’t gotten enough sun. Also the vitamin D helps to fend off common illnesses like the cold and flu. Unfortunately, it’s not too hard for an entire day to pass without you realising you’ve been indoors the whole time. So it’s important we make a special effort to get outside and soak up some sun. Go for a walk at lunch, I know the temperature isn’t too inviting these days but a little cold is worth the great benefits a few minutes of sun gets you.
Be social.
While focusing on our own health is important, don’t forget to get out every once in a while to interact with others and be social. It’s healthy to have relationships and to spend time with your friends or family. It might not always seem like it, but other people keep you sane and being able to have real discussions with people is important for your mental health. And don’t just rely on those relationships you already have. Go out and meet new people, form new friendships and put yourself out there. The reward for an admittedly daunting social interaction is that you can gain a lifelong friend.
Be proactive.
While the importance of diet and exercise cannot be overstated, perhaps the most important aspect of your health is how effective you are at addressing it. We’ve discussed many times (and will discuss many more times) how important, for boomers especially, it is that you make regular appointments to visit your doctor. In other words, you need to be proactive about your health. Boomers have a terrible reputation for not visiting their doctor until something is wrong – and sometimes not even then. You need to take your health more seriously than that. Don’t wait until you need to, go regularly and ask questions. If something is concerning you, don’t hesitate to find out more. Ignore that feeling that tells you it’s not a big deal, because if your own health isn’t a big deal than what is?
Stay busy.
Boomers have another lasting reputation, this one more positive, that they are always on the go. They are an active generation, especially for their age and few show signs of wanting to slow down, even as that so-called retirement age creeps up. But some boomers will retire, and that’s fine if that’s what they want. But for those boomers, leaving the workforce, doesn’t mean you can lose that drive to engage. Staying active is vital to your health. Not just exercising, but staying busy on a daily basis. A person needs purpose to keep their mind and body sharp. It doesn’t need to be from work, but something has to give you a reason to get out of bed.
Relax.
On the flip side of that previous point, you also need to be able to slow down and allow yourself to relax. Last week, we talked about the negative health effects of stress and how it’s important to manage that. Being able to unwind and remove yourself from those stressful situations is a great method. Work-life balance becomes a more important concept as you age and it’s something to keep in mind. Are you allowing yourself to escape the pressures of work and decompress? Kick your feet up every now and then an just let all that bad stuff fade away. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
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