How Can You Stay Healthier for Longer?

With the middle of winter upon us, this time of year is often one where the waistline blows out from rich winter food, and the dark mornings mean that physical activity drops off. Now is the time to start turning it around. Not just for summer, but for the long run.

Most of us look forward to retiring one day. Heading overseas and spending the kids inheritance! But retiring healthy is a lot different to retiring with a chronic disease. Developing diabetes , having a heart attack or being diagnosed with cancer are a big burden in terms of medication, doctor’s appointments and mortality. It can limit your lifestyle options for travel, hobbies and more.

With over 80% of Australians over the age of 65 having a chronic disease, it is important to act whilst you are still in your 40’s or 50’s to prevent going down the path of chronic disease.

But what can you do?

Knowing the risk factors that you can change is the key. Here they are:

1. Smoking

Fortunately, the rate of smoking is falling, but it is still the biggest contributor to vascular disease. If you’re someone who is still smoking, but doesn’t want to, your doctor can help you quit.

2. Overweight and Obesity

The rate of excess weight in Australia is climbing, and unfortunately it is a risk factor for diabetes, cancer and more. Fortunately, getting your weight under control can dramatically reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

3. Alcohol Use

Whilst it is a great social lubricant, and strongly embedded in our culture, alcohol plays a role in elevating your risk of chronic disease. Moderation is the key.

4. Physical Activity

Our built environment and working habits mean we don’t get as much incidental activity as we should. Staying active improves your lean muscle mass, can improve your bone strength and balance, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also good for stress.

5. High Blood Pressure

As one of the major risk factors for stroke and heart disease, knowing your blood pressure and taking steps to keep it in a healthy range is vital. It is even more important if you have a family history of any of these conditions.

The unspoken factor in addition to the top five is stress and anxiety . We too often see a vicious cycle of workplace stress leading to a deterioration in healthy lifestyle. It can make all the top five factors worse. Addressing this aspect of our society is one of Grow Medical’s broader missions . We believe in looking outside the box, to treat you as a whole person by understanding the context of you, your family and friends, and your community.

Do you know you numbers?

Make a booking online for a comprehensive check up with a doctor in Highgate Hill , Oxley , Sherwood . We will check the basics, ensure your blood pressure and cholesterol are in a healthy range, and perform more detailed assessments for those whose history suggests an elevated risk. Take Charge of Your Lifestyle by taking a positive step today.