Maintaining good health is our most valuable possession. When we’re healthy and cared for, we can focus on creating the lives we want and reach our full potential. As a result, we can better contribute to our communities, engage in meaningful interpersonal relationships, and raise happy, healthy children, all of which strengthen our society.
What Shapes Your Health
Your health is influenced by a wide range of factors that interact in complex ways to determine your overall well-being. One of the critical factors that shape our health is genetics. Your genetic makeup can influence your susceptibility to certain diseases and health conditions and your response to various medications and treatments. For example, some people may be predisposed to certain types of cancer or heart disease based on their genes.
Another major factor is your lifestyle. The choices you make daily about diet, physical activity, and sleep can have a significant impact on your health. A healthy, balanced diet can help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Regular exercise also can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of obesity.
Your health is shaped by a complex interplay of various factors, and taking a holistic approach to health and wellness is essential. Making informed choices and caring for your physical, mental, and emotional health promotes your overall well-being and prevents many chronic diseases and health conditions.
Why You Should Make Your Health The First Priority
In our fast-paced and busy lives, it’s easy to put our health on the back burner. With work, family, and social obligations, neglecting your physical and mental well-being is easy. However, investing in your health should be your top priority, as it is the foundation for a fulfilling and happy life. Here are some reasons investing in your health should be your top priority.
Saves Money
By investing in preventative measures, regular check-ups, and healthy lifestyle choices, you can avoid the costly expenses associated with chronic diseases and health conditions. One of the most effective ways to save money on healthcare costs is by investing in preventative care.
Regular check-ups, screenings, and immunizations can help identify potential health problems before they become more severe and expensive to treat. For example, a full body screening, including a full body MRI, can help detect potential health problems before they become more serious, saving you from expensive medical bills.
Investing in your health also involves making healthy lifestyle choices. Exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. These conditions can be expensive to treat, and making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent them from developing in the first place.
Fights Stress
Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. It’s an important survival mechanism to help you perform better in certain situations. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can hurt your health, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Physical activity of almost any kind is effective in reducing stress. The stress-relieving effects of exercise apply even if you aren’t an athlete or are significantly out of shape.
Exercising releases endorphins and other natural brain chemicals that improve mood. Physical activity is known to boost mood by drawing attention away from negative thoughts and instead focusing on the sensations of movement experienced by the body. Think about activities like walking, jogging, gardening, cleaning the house, biking, swimming, weightlifting, etc.
Before you take off running (literally), get the necessary gear you’ll need depending on what you want to do, whether simply walking around the block or trekking up some hills near your home. Remember to bring essential accessories like your medical alert bracelet, a water bottle, a hat, sunglasses, and reflective gear (especially if you plan to jog at night or dawn). Before any physical activity, remember to do warm-ups to physically and mentally prep your body.
Improved Cognitive Function
Cognitive function refers to mental processes such as attention, memory, language, perception, and reasoning. It is critical for everyday tasks such as problem-solving, decision-making, and learning. Poor cognitive function can negatively impact both personal and professional life, such as decreased productivity, difficulty with daily tasks, and memory loss. Fortunately, investing in your health can improve cognitive function and prevent cognitive decline.
A healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, has been shown to improve cognitive function. Exercise, for example, has been linked to improved brain function, enhanced learning and memory, and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. A balanced diet, rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, can also improve cognitive function.
In addition, mental stimulation, such as learning a new skill or language, and engaging in mentally challenging activities like puzzles, has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
When you invest in your health through regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy nutrition, and mental stimulation, you tend to improve your cognitive function and your brain health.
Wrap Up
You don’t have to sacrifice much to prioritize your health. It requires committing to a small number of sound decisions and sticking with them over time. This requires moving around regularly and frequent health screenings. Putting your health first is an investment that will pay dividends immediately and for years to come.
