Not only is health essential for happiness, but being fit and active can help you enjoy hobbies and sports, be productive at work and prevent the significant costs associated with medical treatments and disability.
Not everything can be prevented, but a proactive approach can help you reduce the risk of problems that can affect your quality of life and finances. In this quick-start guide, we’ll look at a few steps to take this year to protect your family’s well-being.
Book regular health checks
It is often too easy to overlook the importance of health check-ups, especially given today’s hectic lifestyle and packed schedule. However, regular and comprehensive check-ups can help you catch issues early and prevent more significant problems down the line.
Now is the perfect time to book your dental appointments and sight tests to get your year off to a great start. Consider investing in a private health check once a year and keep up with the screenings recommended for your age, gender, and lifestyle. While these can vary from one person to another, a few common ones include:
- Blood pressure screening and cholesterol tests: Adults over 40 every few years
- Diabetes screening: Regularly from age 35 or earlier for high-risk groups
- Breast cancer screening: Mammograms every few years for women 50+
- Cervical cancer screening: Pap smear every 3-5 years for women 21–65
- Prostate cancer screening: Discuss PSA testing with your doctor from age 50 (or 45 if at risk)
- Vision and hearing tests: Every 1-2 years, especially after age 50
- Bone density testing: Women age 65+ and men age 70+, or earlier
Focus on prevention
Prevention plays an essential role in keeping you healthy and prevents the need for more invasive and more expensive treatments in the future. Making some subtle changes now, such as getting more active, eating healthily and easing stress, will help you improve your long-term health. Some of the benefits of prevention for your health and wallet include:
- Helps detect diseases early
- Reduces long-term healthcare costs
- Lowers the risk of chronic illnesses by recommending lifestyle changes
- Increases lifespan and quality of life
- Helps maintain independence as you age
- Minimises work and productivity loss due to illness
- Promotes healthier habits and awareness
- Reduces stress and anxiety about health issues
Embrace digital health tools
Digital health tools, such as apps and smart watches, can help you save money on your health and well-being. They can help you track movement levels, habits and vital signs, so that you can check your fitness level and spot issues related to heart rate, sleep, and stress levels.
Paired with regular exercise and the support of a healthcare provider, these tools make an improved quality of life more accessible and can help you catch issues and make lifestyle changes before they become a problem.
Additionally, you can use online coaching programs to help you keep on track with your fitness goals. I’ve used the free Couch to 5k running plan on my phone and followed the free Couch to Fitness program in recent years, along with yoga videos and strength training to help me stay healthy at home.
Prioritise mental wellness
Did you know that your mental health significantly influences your physical wellbeing? So, as you enter the new year, be sure to make mental health a priority. To do so, consider focusing on stress management techniques, taking time for yourself, and choosing activities that can help with relaxation, focus, and self-awareness.
These may include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and walking in nature. If you are struggling with ongoing anxiety, depression, or fear, be sure to partner with a mental health professional who can support better emotional well-being and, in turn, physical health.
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