The past year and a half has seen many of us start to focus on our health and wellbeing. Often, when we are in good health, we begin to take our well being for granted. However, the prevalence of a worldwide pandemic has made us reflect on just how important our health is. We’re becoming more aware of underlying health conditions. We’re growing to understand that the healthier we are, the more likely we are to fare better with unexpected illnesses or conditions. So, it’s not all too surprising that many of us are beginning to consider leading healthier lifestyles and what changes we can make to achieve this. Here are some areas of focus that should help to get this journey off to a great start!

Conduct regular health checks

A simple place to start with monitoring and managing your health and wellbeing is to conduct regular health checks. Some common  health checks include:

• Eye examinations – you should visit your optometrist once every two years to check in on your ocular health. They’ll be able to survey your eye from front to back, highlighting any eye health conditions they may find. They can also check your sight, ensuring you have a prescription for contact lenses or glasses if required.
• Hearing examinations – if you notice any changes to your hearing, you should check in with an audiologist for a hearing exam. Here, they will be able to determine if you are experiencing any hearing-related illness and recommend hearing aids if those are required.
• Dental checkups – book an appointment with your dentist and hygienist once every six months. This will allow to spot any problems, such as tartar, decay or gum disease. You can then carry out any treatments required to return you to full dental health.
• Cervical screening – women over the age of 25, should attend cervical screening examinations. This can identify any irregular cells in the cervix, which could indicate cervical cancer.

Provide your body with the fuel it needs

If you care about your health and wellbeing, and want to maximize it, you’re going to have to pay attention to the food that you put in your body. All too many people have unhealthy eating habits. Excessive eating can lead to obesity, which comes hand-in-hand with health issues, such as obesity. Undereating can cause infertility, osteoporosis, malnutrition and a weakened immune system.

Try to stick to your recommended daily calorie intake, unless otherwise recommended by a doctor. You also need to ensure that the food you’re putting in your body is nutritionally dense. Focus on ingredients packed with nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and oils, and wholesome carbohydrates.

If possible, try some superfoods. These are foods and drinks with a particularly high nutritional content, such as blueberries, goji berries, green tea and more. If you’re struggling to know where to start with your healthy diet, consider coming up with a meal plan. This should provide your body with everything it needs and can encourage you to prep your meals in advance, saving you time and reducing your chances of slipping back to convenience foods.

Focus on your mental health

Remember that everything isn’t about physical health alone. We need good mental health to cope with the pressures of day to day life, and to lead happier and more comfortable existences. Sure, not too long ago, there was a stigma attached to mental health and mental health conditions. It’s something that we didn’t generally talk about and that thousands suffered in silence with. However, thanks to significant scientific and medical advances, as well as a more open and honest society, more of us are feeling comfortable learning about our mental health, understanding our mental health and seeking help when we need it. Here are some tips that can help you to manage yours.

• Understand mental health – it’s good to understand your own mental health. Take time to consider how you’re feeling and how your emotions and mental health could be improved, every once in a while or as and when you need to. This can help you understand when you are feeling well and when you may be experiencing difficulties and require support. Read up about different conditions and symptoms. Learn how to approach different subjects and support those around you who may be experiencing different conditions.
• Seek help – if you feel that you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s extremely important that you seek help as and when you need it. You are never alone in this journey and there are always countless sources of support out there. It’s generally recommended that you consult your doctor first. This healthcare professional will be able to diagnose any conditions you may be experiencing and refer you on for the best treatment possible. This could be medication, therapy, or both approaches in tandem. You can make use of support groups, helplines, charities and other resources for further help.
• Practice mindfulness – even if you’re not struggling with mental health conditions, general and occasional experiences of stress, sadness or other negative emotions can impact your sense of welling. If you begin to feel troubled, you can practice mindfulness to re-center yourself and calm yourself. There are many free apps, video tutorials and other resources out there that will guide you through this process.

As you can see, both mind and body are extremely important for your overall health and wellbeing. You need to take care of both to live life to the utmost. Hopefully, some of the above advice will help guide your in the right direction to the best quality of life.