How to Lower Your Risk of Long-Term Disease
By Genevieve Cunningham
Unless you already suffer from a long-term disease, you probably don't give it much thought. Diseases such as diabetes or heart disease require long-term management. They require regular thought and work. If you don't have to think about it, why would you? But in all honesty, just because you don't currently have a long-term health condition doesn't mean you can't develop one. In fact, many people aren't actually born with diabetes -- it's developed over time and discovered in adulthood. So should we start worrying about developing health problems as we age? No -- but we should be proactive in our health. If you would like to lower your risk of developing various diseases and health conditions, take a look at these tips to start incorporating into your life right now.
Maintain a Good Diet
As a whole, we absolutely don't put enough thought into our diets. We tend to eat one of two ways: We opt for foods we grew up with, or we opt for the easiest choice. But considering we are what we eat -- literally! -- we really should give conscious thought into what we put in our mouths. A huge part of avoiding disease is eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. We need fruits and vegetables. We need to avoid excess sugar and caffeine. We need more water and less soda. The better we can make our diets, the lower our risk of major disease, and the better we'll feel in our bodies overall.
Regularly Move Your Body
Exercise doesn't have to be your passion. You don't have to like it at all. But unfortunately, you do have to make movement a staple in your life. Regular movement helps us maintain our weight, improve flexibility, and sustain an active lifestyle. And all three of these benefits help to lower our risk of disease. The good news is that you don't have to join a gym; you just have to move! Walk, stretch, hike, ride a bike. The more you move, the better you'll feel, and the healthier you'll be able to keep your body long-term.
See the Doctor
Do you see the doctor on a regular basis? Most adults don't. But seeing your doctor for regular checkups is a really good idea. Regular care helps us keep our bodies in check before problems arise in the first place. Doctors can lead us and give us advice about how to be our healthiest selves. If you don't have a doctor, get one. If you don't visit regularly, start with yearly checkups. The best medicine is prevention, so make your doctor a part of your normal healthcare life.
Sometimes disease happens and it's out of our control. But other times, there are things we can do to prevent disease from happening. Use these tips to keep your health and wellness under control so that you can prevent disease and live your best life starting right now.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.