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When people make a decision to improve their health and well-being, their thoughts typically go to topics like exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep each night. All those ideas are worthwhile, but there are many less obvious strategies for boosting one’s general wellness factor, like wearing seatbelts and not walking alone after dark. One major caveat is to always consult a physician or other healthcare provider before undertaking any kind of new physical activity or change of habits, even quitting smoking.
The guidance of a trained professional is invaluable. It’s always a good idea to get regular medical checkups and follow a doctor’s suggestions in order to maintain optimal health. The following ideas are among the most popular ways to maximize personal wellness. Consider each one before deciding which are right for you.
Keep Indoor Air Clean
It always makes sense to maintain residential HVAC systems in order to keep indoor air as fresh and clean as possible. Make it a point to have professionals inspect all your heating and cooling units at least once per year and clean out the air ducts while they’re at it. In between inspections, consider using a portable air cleaning unit in one or more rooms.
Remember that retail appliances designed to clean the air are only as good as their filtration systems. It’s essential to change the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Install a Home Lift
Installing a home lift can have a direct effect on personal wellbeing and health. How? Those who have access to domestic lifts, like any of the super home elevators from Lifton, don’t need to use stairs to move about their homes. For older individuals and anyone who has a bit of trouble with mobility, personal lifts are game changers.
An added benefit is the peace of mind for those who fear the risk of falling on long staircases, which is a very real threat for large numbers of adults of all ages.
Avoid Walking Alone After Dark
It’s common sense, but even in large metropolitan areas, some adults regularly walk alone after dark. If crime statistics prove anything, they show that the easiest way to become the target of a robbery or assault is to be unaccompanied after the sun sets. In urban centers, especially, it’s best to travel in groups of two or more when on foot in the evening hours.
Drive Safely
If you receive a traffic citation, some magistrates will require a driving safety course for even the smallest offense. But even if there’s no legal reason to take the class, consider signing up for a defensive driving class anyway. In some cases, insurance companies will reduce your rate if you take the training.
The main benefit is that you’ll become a better and safer driver after a weekend training session in road safety.
Pay Attention to Expiration Dates on Food
Every year, millions of consumers become ill by eating spoiled food they purchased at the grocery store. While some cases are unavoidable, most are preventable. It’s a matter of reading the expiration date before purchasing and consuming food items.
That includes fresh, frozen, canned, and other products. A common problem is that buyers check the dates when buying but forget to use the products before it’s too late. Make a list of expiration dates for food you buy and post the dates on the door of the fridge.
Get Regular Health Screenings
For whatever reason, millions of otherwise sensible adults suffer from a minor phobia of physicians and medical offices. This fear of the white coats is common, but it can become quite dangerous for individuals who neglect to get annual wellness checks.
The situation is particularly dire for older adults, who are susceptible to a wide variety of serious maladies like skin cancer, dementia, and blood disorders. Get regular checkups and ask for help if your medical phobia is becoming a problem.
Practice Safe Online Buying and Selling
When dealing with individuals online, always practice safe commerce. That means never meeting someone in a private home to pick up or deliver goods. Instead, meet in a public place like a shopping mall or a bank.
Don’t give out your address when posting items for sale or contacting a seller. Never carry large amounts of cash. Avoid sellers and buyers who insist on transacting business in cash.
Wear Seatbelts
For more than 50 years, seatbelts have been a mainstay in automobiles. They’re accessible for a reason, but large numbers of drivers and passengers ignore them. This is true in places where seatbelt laws are enforced and where there are no mandatory seatbelt laws in the books.
The bottom line is that these simple little belts have saved millions of lives already. But they only work if you wear them, so make it a point to wear a seatbelt whenever you are in a moving vehicle.
Bike with a Helmet
Vast numbers of children and adults ride bicycles for fun, to get exercise, to get to work, or to run errands. For decades, bicycle crashes have been among the leading causes of non-automobile accidents that lead to hospital visits.
Taking a fall from a moving bike can cause broken bones, head injuries, deep cuts, and other problems that require a trip to the emergency room. Be safe by always wearing a proper helmet when riding a bicycle.
Don’t Smoke
National anti-smoking campaigns have been around in most nations for more than a half century, yet millions of adults continue to light up on a regular basis. If you are a smoker, have a conversation with your physician about how to quit safely and permanently.
Be careful to avoid using over-the-counter products that deliver various chemicals into your body unless your doctor has prescribed them. The good news is that, even though plenty of people still smoke, many more have quit the habit for good. Make a decision today to stop. Enlist help from a trusted friend or family member who can support you through the process of becoming tobacco-free.
