|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Spring into health this season by refreshing your well-being routine and building healthier habits for the rest of the year. While many Americans make health a primary focus of their New Year’s resolutions, 57 percent of recent survey respondents said they take up healthier lifestyle choices only after having a medical concern.
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s a great time to get moving and focus on living a healthier lifestyle. There’s no better time to get started than today.
Here are three steps you may start taking right away:
Choose a primary care provider and access preventive screenings.
A primary care provider can help guide you on your health journey, and studies suggest that access to primary care providers may help people live longer. Yet more than 30 percent of American adults don’t have a primary care provider.
One important item to check off your health care checklist each year is an annual wellness visit with a primary care provider – even if you feel healthy. A preventive care visit may help you better understand your health and detect any problems early.
If you don’t currently have a primary care provider, check with your health plan for in-network doctors in your area or other options for accessing care like virtual care options.
Health plans usually cover preventive care, which means you may pay $0 out of pocket for certain covered preventive services if you go to an in-network provider.
You may also be eligible to earn rewards through your health plan for activities like your annual wellness visit, getting certain preventive screenings or completing a health survey.
Some health plans also offer coverage for certain health screenings like those for breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
Check with your health plan to understand your coverage and eligibility and talk to your employer about benefits and wellness programs that may be available to you.
Walk 15 to 30 minutes each day.
Getting outside during the day and enjoying the sunshine may be an important source of Vitamin D, boost your mood and help you sleep better.
Taking regular walks, even for 15 to 30 minutes, may be a simple way to get some sun and fresh air, get your steps in and keep your body moving. In fact, a recent study found that walking more may help extend life expectancy by up to 11 years. Ideally, adults should aim each week for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity like a brisk walk, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity like jogging or running.
Some employers now offer wellness programs as part of the health benefits available to their employees.
Track and improve your sleep.
Many people struggle with their sleeping habits, with more than one-third of adults in the U.S. reporting regularly not getting enough sleep. Experts recommend adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night. Maintaining healthy sleeping habits may be beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being, from helping to reduce stress and improve your mood to lowering risk for some chronic conditions.
To help improve your sleep, consider avoiding alcohol, caffeine and too much screen time before going to bed, and try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
Adding these tips into your daily routine may be a great way to boost your overall health and well-being this spring.
Dr. Danielle Madril is Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual Plans of Florida.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
