A difficult diagnosis or unexpected health setback can be unsettling and disruptive to your life. But these events can also be an incentive to do better. Whether it’s finding out you have high cholesterol or are at an increased risk for a chronic condition like diabetes, a health scare is the perfect motivation to take control and make positive modifications to your lifestyle.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, try these strategies to help set yourself up for success on your path to wellness.
Strategy No. 1 – Keep your eye on the prize
One of the most significant ways making healthy changes and becoming more physically active can improve your life is by giving you peace of mind. Knowing you are doing all you can to care for yourself can be a powerful incentive.
Getting active comes with a host of health benefits. It’s good for your heart, builds up your muscle strength and endurance, and, over time, may even help you manage or remedy a specific health problem. In addition to several long-term benefits, exercise also has immediate advantages that help you feel your best, such as:
- Lifting your mood
- Giving you more energy
- Helping you connect with new people
Once you get started down a healthier path, you may find that you like exercising and being active. You might even be surprised by how good you feel.
Strategy No. 2 – Look to the past for inspiration
Think back to a time when you made a successful change. What got you through it? Did you get help from others? Did you take it one step at a time? What were the barriers, and how did you overcome them? To make a healthy change, try using the same ideas, tactics or framework that worked for you previously. It will help set the tone for your health journey while giving you benchmarks and a long-term goal to work towards.
Strategy No. 3 – Remember prevention is key
Health screenings are crucial. Preventative care and routine lab work help your doctor look for specific conditions or diseases before symptoms appear. The earlier a disease gets diagnosed, the more likely it can be prevented, cured or successfully managed. If you’re uncertain about what checkups and age-appropriate health screenings are right for you, speak with your primary care provider. They can point you in the right direction.
Strategy No. 4 – Ask for help
While making healthy lifestyle choices can benefit your overall well-being, it’s also important to remember to ask for help when needed. If you’ve recently received worrisome news or are concerned about your health and unsure where to turn, please speak with your primary care provider. They can assist you with everything from routine checkups to preventing and maintaining chronic diseases.
More reading for your wellness journey
For more on improving your health, check out these posts on the Parkview Dashboard:
The many health benefits of regular exercise
Circuits, supersets and intervals for beginners
This is why seniors should strength train
Exploring the benefits of strength training for those with diabetes
The many health benefits of walking
Spring clean your fitness routine
Are your sleep habits affecting your waistline?
Is your diet affecting your sleep?
A lesson in leveraging your preventative care benefits
Health Screenings for men at every age
The importance of routine lab work
Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
