March To Health

Did you know that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have named March the National Nutrition Month? Others still consider it the prime time to “march” to health. Whether it’s tied to this particular month or just a general desire to take control of your well-being, we support this journey completely. To that end, here are some wellness tips and some information about preventive health screening to help you take the first steps. 

Simplify The Basics 

Most people are aware of what creates a healthy physical foundation, but putting such knowledge into action isn’t always quite so easy. Here are some wellness tips that simplify your march to health, and make it more attainable: 

• Get Quality Sleep – The value of good sleep cannot be overstated. If you have trouble falling asleep, one idea is to try writing down everything on your mind (including your “to-do”s for the next day) before you lay down for the night. Something like this can help your mind slow down, and get you ready for sleep much faster than if you’re thinking and analyzing while also attempting to drift off. 

• Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods – Many folks struggle to adopt healthy nutritional practices because they think it has to be all or nothing. So they might start on a nutritive path just to make one mistake – and then give up. Instead, think of healthy eating in terms of addition, not subtraction. Start by adding in one healthy food each day (ideally fresh produce), and you’ll have a much easier time making a lasting positive change. 

• Exercise – Again, incorporating movement into your day doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. While you certainly could join a hot yoga studio or start training for a 5K, you can also start a lot smaller. Aim to walk for 15 minutes per day, and then increase that to 30 minutes after a week. Or, try a plank challenge, where you gradually increase the seconds (and eventually minutes) you’re holding the position. You can add in more strength or cardio later, but you’ll be far better off starting with something accessible and short that you can actually stick to. 

• Manage Your Stress – Stress can cause irreparable harm to the body, so it’s imperative you find a way to deal with it head-on. Many people find meditation to be useful, and you can find guided meditations for free on YouTube if you’re not sure where to start. You could also use exercise to combat stress. Getting your blood pumping can do a lot to soothe your body and bring you back to a calmer state. 

Preventive Health Screening

In addition to these building blocks of health, make sure you’re scheduling regular doctor visits and getting health screenings. This also doesn’t have to be expensive, time-intensive or cumbersome. Many providers offer our at-home testing kits, which are the most convenient way to stay on top of health and risk factors. 

Here are just a few of the conditions our tests screen for: 

• Colorectal cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Poor thyroid function
• Urinary tract infections
• … and much more. 

Interested in learning more about our at-home testing kits, and/or offering them at your office? Contact us anytime.