With all of our daily responsibilities, squeezing in some time for rest and relaxation can sometimes feel challenging. However, self-care is a crucial factor in health and wellness. Luckily, there are easy, affordable ways to incorporate healthy habits into each day. Here are some simple, everyday health tips that will work for even the most hectic schedules.

 

Health Care

 

Keeping tabs on your health insurance can help you make good choices daily for your health. Your health plan provides coverage to help you get the care you need, whether you need to get a regular checkup, schedule a consultation with your doctor, or go in for treatment. However, every year, your plan can change, so make sure you switch to a new one if you need to. You’re likely to require more care as you age, so if you’re a senior, pay particular attention to your Medicare benefits annually. If you need vision or dental coverage, or you want free access to fitness centers, contact an insurance provider, such as Cigna-HealthSpring, that offers these benefits through certain Medicare Advantage plans.

 

Eating Habits

 

Incorporating healthier eating habits can be an excellent way to improve your overall wellness. A balanced, nutritious diet helps you lose weight and achieve optimal health. However, it’s crucial to avoid fad diets, those too-good-to-be-true trends that typically do more harm than good. Not all diets are created equal. It also pays to stick with a diet long-term, rather than expecting instant results. Thoroughly research any new diet before you try it. Always talk to your doctor first so you can make sure you’re on the right diet for you.

 

Oral Health

 

Dental hygiene is also essential to our overall health. Because bacteria flourish in our mouths, oral health helps prevent a wide range of conditions, such as gum disease, cardiovascular illnesses, and even pregnancy complications. The good news is that daily brushing and flossing are easy to do, and these habits go a long way toward keeping bacteria at bay.

 

As much as we all dread visiting the dentist, it’s also crucial to have your teeth cleaned and checked at least twice per year. If you don’t have a regular dentist or are looking for a new one, you should find a dentist in your area.

 

Pain Relief

 

Recent studies show that 35 to 51 percent of people live with chronic pain, which lasts three months or longer. When chronic pain has no apparent underlying cause, it can be difficult to treat. Luckily, if you’re living with chronic pain, there are some ways you can prevent, manage, and even reduce your symptoms.

 

To manage your pain at home, you could try warm baths, ice packs, heating pads, yoga, or even essential oils like eucalyptus, which can relieve pain and inflammation. Spending time in a swimming pool or far infrared sauna can also help reduce your symptoms.

 

If another medical condition is causing your chronic pain, try to determine the root cause. For instance, an underlying disease like lupus might cause arthritis, inflammation, or other painful symptoms. Treatments could potentially send your lupus pain symptoms into remission. Specialists like chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, or orthopedic surgeons can help you manage pain, especially if your pain resulted from an accident, injury, or bad posture. Depending upon your health insurance policy, treatments might even be covered.

 

Anxiety and Depression

 

When we think of health, we typically think of our physical bodies. However, our mental and emotional health is just as important as our physical health. If you’re stressed, anxious, or depressed, it will impact your personal and professional life. Failure to care for your mental and emotional health can lead to physical symptoms like teeth grinding, weight gain, increased inflammation, and reduced immune function.

 

You can start caring for your mental well-being by learning to meditate or taking a beginners’ yoga class. Because spending time in nature can also be soothing, you might also take a walk in the park or spend time outdoors with friends. In fact, indoor plants provide health benefits, like reduced stress and improved “mental processing power.” Best of all, the benefits from indoor plants are enjoyable year-round, even on cold, rainy days.

 

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and it’s essential to incorporate some healthy habits into your daily routine. Remember, your self-care habits don’t have to be limited to diet or exercise. According to Ferris State University, you should also focus on your spiritual, emotional, and social needs for total body wellness. After all, there’s nothing selfish about self-care, and the positive habits you’re building now will last you a lifetime.

 

Guest post courtesy of Jennifer McGregor of PublicHealthLibrary.org