Preventive Health: Taking Care of Tomorrow

Camilla Monarrez
13 minutes ago
3 min read

You wouldn’t drive without your seat belt, so why leave your health to chance? You never realize how valuable your health is until it takes a negative turn. A person's health does not just depend on their doctor, dentist, or a psychologist, though these are very helpful in guiding you to a better, healthier lifestyle; health starts with you. There are small actions in your day that you can take that add up to making your life much easier to live healthily. By definition, preventative health is the practice of taking care of your health before problems develop or become more serious. Instead of only visiting a doctor when you feel sick, preventative care focuses on reducing health risks and identifying concerns early.

Practicing preventative health is a habit that you can ingrain into your life if you truly care about it. Studies from Scientific American show that, on average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. With this in mind, the steps towards a healthier lifestyle are very much achievable. Some simple practices for preventative health include: healthy eating; this can mean filling your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains over refined carbs, and picking lean proteins at every meal. Another option would be regular physical activity: going for short walks or jogs, getting a gym membership or an alternative to your daily routines like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking further than your norm at store entrances. One vital factor most people overlook is getting enough sleep. Getting five hours or less of sleep on a regular basis harms your body over time. Not getting enough sleep can be linked with an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe weight gain. Beyond physical changes, it can be damaging to brain function, making it harder to remember things, clear out daily waste, and stay mentally stable according to The Sleep Foundation. An easy way to ensure you get your hours is to set alarms for when you need to sleep.

All of the habits and reactions mentioned so far have been physical; yet it also has an impact on mental well-being. You should not disregard the mental clutter and buildup of stress throughout your daily life. Managing stress and mental well-being is essential to staying at ease and lowering your cortisol. Ways you can do this are to take mental health days, take part in your favorite hobbies, spoil yourself, connect with healthy supportive networks, take vacations, read, and when stress comes your way, healthy coping habits can work like box breathing to help reduce unhealthy coping mechanisms.

As you incorporate self-care and ensure your health is a priority in your life, you are doing so much more than you think to keep yourself healthier long-term, but professionals are still needed, so regular doctor and dentist checkups, vaccinations, and recommended screenings are still super important. Preventative care can also help doctors identify health concerns early, which may make them easier to manage or treat. Overall, taking care of your health can help you feel better in your everyday life and support your long-term well-being.

Missing a single day does not ruin the process, but total consistency speeds up how fast the brain automates the behaviors of keeping healthy and practicing what was mentioned. Preventative health is not just about avoiding illness, it's about creating habits that support a healthier future. Starting healthier habits early on can make it much easier to maintain throughout life. Even small actions can make a difference over time. The choices we make for our health today can help shape how we feel and live tomorrow.