4 Ways To Make Your Health A Priority
/Almost a third of Americans put off a trip to the doctor. We say we have no time, our problem is not important, or that we’ll book an appointment tomorrow. But our biggest resource is our health, and without it, we leave ourselves at risk. Here is why your health is so important, and four ways you can make your health a priority today.
Book A Dental Appointment
A basic check up can be booked every six months without you needing to wait until you have a toothache. There is an affordable dentist out there you can visit, and with a regular check up you can avoid a sudden health emergency that racks up a high cost. The benefits of regular dental appointments are that you get to keep your teeth for longer, minimize the risk of severe gum disease, and even reduce the time spent off work for more severe issues.
Manage Your Stress Levels
Your stress levels play a vital part in your daily life. Stress can derail your healthy eating plans, stop you from wanting to see friends, and even change your perception of yourself. Simplifying your schedule can help reduce stress levels, so you can better manage your time and wellbeing.
Long term stress can significantly impact your physical and mental health, so if you do find yourself feeling stressed a lot of the time, take steps to unwind throughout the day. Simple steps to reduce stress include going outside, planning things like meals in advance, and taking the time to do the things you enjoy.
Set Realistic Fitness Goals
95% of our New Year's Resolutions are health-related, yet over 40% of us give up on them after less than a month. So why do so many of us give up so quickly? Most of our fitness goals are unrealistic. People want to run five days a week rather than one or lose lots of weight rather than a little bit over time. When you set fitness goals, try to make them realistic. There’s no point setting yourself a goal you’ll not only give up, but feel bad for failing afterward.
Make Time To Prioritize You
How much time do you schedule in the day for looking after yourself? One of the main reasons why our exercise or healthy eating plans fail is because we don’t make enough time in the day to actually carry them out. Prioritize yourself by making self-care an actual slot in your diary. You can only be efficient for so long. If you keep focusing on work above yourself then there will come a day when you feel burnt out and run down.
Your health matters. You deserve self-care, health checks, and manageable stress levels. Try to make it a natural part of your schedule to visit the dentist, and be realistic with the goals you set yourself. If you were giving advice to a friend, what parts of life would you tell them to prioritize? Make your health a priority today, tomorrow, and into the future.